The summer transfer window continues to present Newcastle United with complex challenges as their pursuit of long-term defensive target Marc Guehi appears increasingly doomed.

With the Crystal Palace captain now strongly linked to Liverpool, the Magpies must pivot swiftly to alternative options – and Bundesliga stalwart Edmond Tapsoba has emerged as a compelling contingency plan.

Newcastle’s defensive recruitment strategy has followed a clear pattern of persistence, having tracked Guehi across multiple windows alongside other priority targets like Joao Pedro and James Trafford.

Yet their Champions League qualification – absent during last summer’s negotiations – now provides fresh leverage in pursuing elite-level alternatives.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Tapsoba represents precisely such an opportunity, with circumstances aligning favorably for a potential deal this time around.

The Burkina Faso international was first linked to St James’ Park twelve months ago when David Ornstein revealed exploratory talks with Leverkusen.

At that stage, the German club’s historic treble-winning campaign under Xabi Alonso made any departure improbable.

Now, with Alonso departed for Real Madrid and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah arriving as a £35 million replacement, Leverkusen’s resistance may have softened considerably.

BBC Sport’s Harry De Cosemo contextualized the shifting dynamics: “Newcastle’s chances of signing Tapsoba are markedly stronger this summer. Last year, Leverkusen were unbeaten domestically with Champions League football secured – there was zero sporting incentive for him to leave.

Now, with Newcastle able to offer similar European prestige and Leverkusen entering a transitional phase, the appeal becomes far clearer.”

At 26, Tapsoba offers the ideal profile for Newcastle’s needs – entering his prime years with 150+ Bundesliga appearances under his belt. His composure in possession (87% pass accuracy last season) and aerial dominance (68% duel success rate) would immediately upgrade a backline that conceded 62 Premier League goals last term.

Crucially, his experience in Leverkusen’s high defensive line aligns perfectly with Eddie Howe’s tactical demands.

The potential domino effect of Liverpool’s Guehi pursuit further complicates Newcastle’s planning. Should Crystal Palace secure Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande as replacement – as BBC Sport suggests – it may accelerate Guehi’s Anfield move regardless of his contract situation.

This leaves Newcastle facing the sobering reality that both primary targets (Guehi) and secondary options (Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi) could slip away simultaneously.

Tapsoba’s £50 million valuation presents a financial hurdle, but one that Newcastle are better positioned to overcome this summer. Their Champions League windfall, combined with potential player sales, creates flexibility absent in previous windows.

Moreover, Leverkusen’s need to balance books after their own spending spree could make them more amenable to negotiations than Premier League counterparts notorious for inflating prices for domestic rivals.

The broader context makes this pursuit particularly timely. With Sven Botman’s injury concerns persisting and veterans Fabian Schär (32) and Dan Burn (31) requiring phased succession planning, securing a marquee center-back isn’t just desirable – it’s strategically imperative.

Tapsoba’s Bundesliga pedigree offers greater certainty than gambling on lesser-known quantities, while his peak-age profile ensures both immediate impact and long-term value retention.

Newcastle’s recruitment team now faces a critical test of adaptability. Having invested considerable effort in Guehi across multiple windows, they must demonstrate the decisiveness to pivot when circumstances change.

Tapsoba represents not just a fallback option, but arguably a superior fit given his experience in European competition and tactical versatility.

As the transfer chessboard continues evolving, Newcastle’s ability to capitalize on Leverkusen’s transitional moment could define their defensive solidity for years to come.

In Tapsoba, they have the chance to secure a ready-made Champions League caliber defender – provided they act with the urgency this window demands. The alternative – being left scrambling as options diminish – risks undermining their hard-earned return to Europe’s elite competition before a ball is kicked.