Overcoming adversity and the modern day defender - the £40m man Manchester United could be getting

Edmond Tapsoba has come a long way but a move to the Premier League would catapult him to a new level.

The promising centre back has impressed with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and has attracted the interest of Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side will be in the market for a new defender with Harry Maguire on the brink of joining West Ham.

Tapsoba is among those linked and the 24-year-old has the credentials and character to succeed at the highest level. Born in Burkina Faso, the centre back cut his teeth on the rugged pitches in his homeland, battling a poor upbringing to pursue his dream and move to Europe. He’s driven and determined on the pitch while a family man off it. He came to the attention of admirers at Salitas in his homeland, which prompted Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes to sign him.

"After I left for Portugal I didn't return to Burkina Faso for two years," he said in an interview with bundesliga.com. "Those were the two most difficult years of my life. To not see your mother for two years is very difficult. I'm very close to her, and to my father as well. I'd say I'm very much a family man.

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"They supported me in every way that they could. It was a bit hard (growing up in Burkina Faso), because of the famine there. I come from a relatively poor family. When I was 18 I went to Portugal. I wouldn’t say that it was easy (to leave Burkina Faso) but with the support of those close to me, I was able to do it.”

Two years later Leverkusen came calling, spending £25million to bring