Report: Newcastle open Tapsoba talks

Newcastle United have made an approach to Bayer Leverkusen for Edmond Tapsoba, according to The Athletic.

The Magpies have long been in negotiations with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi, but the London club are proving to be tough negotiators, demanding more than €80 million for the England international.

This has prompted Newcastle to look at alternatives and they have reportedly identified Tapsoba as one of them.

According to The Athletic, initial talks between the clubs have already taken place. It's unclear whether Leverkusen would allow such a key player to leave, but an extraordinary offer could tempt them to sell.

Tapsoba has a €95 million release clause in his contract, but Newcastle are unlikely to want to trigger it. However, Leverkusen could still receive an offer from the English Premier League side.

Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr are also understood to be interested in Tapsoba, with Sky Germany reporting that they are prepared to pay €50 million for the Burkina Faso international.

In an exclusive interview with Bulinews.com last year, Tapsoba spoke about the reported interest in him from England.

“That makes me happy, of course. It’s something that shows I’m doing a good job and that I just need to continue,” he said. 

“But Leverkusen is a big club, my head and heart are fully here right now, and then we'll see what the next step will be.”