Newcastle is interested in Edmund Tapsova this summer, but has not yet offered a bid.
Magpies are understood to be keen to evolve their team after securing Champions League football in the 2025/26 season.
The Eddie Howe man accessed the competition after finishing fifth in the Premier League in the previous quarter.
Newcastle had a miserable time with defensive injuries
The Defense Center is one of the key areas where Premier League outfits can’t afford to neglect to enter their next campaign.
Newcastle enjoyed an impressive season last time, culminating in the final victory of the Carabao Cup over Liverpool and the return of European football to St. James Park.
That said, Hau is not an easy route to Europe. Key defender Svenbotman missed 13 games for Magpies in 2024/25 after suffering consecutive knee injuries.
Jamal Rassel did not do better than his defensive comrades. The British spent the entire campaign on the sidelines due to cruciate ligament injuries.
| Player | A game missed by injury |
| Jamal Lassell | 45 |
| Sven Botman | 13 |
| Lewis Hall | 13 |
Champions League eligibility is set to add at least eight games, and could rise to double digits depending on how well Newcastle performs in the league phase.
Newcastle also has concerns about age to exercise
It is worth pointing out that injuries are not the only ones in the minds of St. James Park recruiters.
The club currently has one of the oldest Premier League teams to average age. This is a problem with Kieran Trippier (34), Fabian Schar (33), Dan Burn (33), Jamaal Lascelles (31), Emil Krafth (30).
To be completely fair, being on the wrong side of the 30 is not a dramatic concern for centre-backs for players who are more than required to rise in the pitch or carry the ball to the side. But that’s a concern regardless.
Will Edmund Tapsova be able to move to the Premier League?
Newcastle needs to bring quality and experience to Champions League progress, not only to lower the average team’s age. And it doesn’t sacrifice his position in the Premier League.
In that memo, Christian Faulk confirmed Newcastle’s reported Bayer Lebakusen centre back Edmund Tapsova (26).
There’s only one problem. There are quite a few release sections attached.
“Newcastle has not yet filed an offer to Edmund Tapsova. Newcastle is showing interest in defenders, as Juventus has with Granite Zaca.” Bundesliga Insider has only notified CatedOffside.
“However, the problem facing Newcastle (and the clubs of interest) is that centrebacks have a release clause of 100 million euros (£862 million) – a lot of money, and I don’t think Newcastle is ready to pay this.
“More importantly, if Lebaxen is committed to the approach they’re debating internally, they won’t sell him cheaper. So I think he’ll stay with Bayarena. But let’s take a look at what Newcastle is ready to put on the table.”
While the Magpies do not appear to be at the immediate risk of PSR troubles, serious doubt must be expressed about the club’s ability to divert £862 million in one signature.
It is much more likely that the men in Hau will try to expand the available funds to strengthen their team.
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