Manchester United have joined Liverpool in keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, according to the Daily Express.

The newspaper reports Jurgen Klopp’s side had a late offer knocked back for the 22-year-old during the January transfer window, with the Reds being told to trigger the player’s £44m release clause instead.

However, United are now also considering a move for Tapsoba, after watching the defender over the past few months. The Red Devils originally got a tip-off from “a well-respected figure in Germany” last year, the Express claims, and this has led to them stepping up their interest.

The centre-half is known for being a ball-playing defender so it is not a surprise that Liverpool and their recruitment team were looking at him, along with other clubs.

Whether they will look to go back in for Tapsoba in the summer and compete with United for his signature, it remains to be seen. The form of Ozan Kabak over the next couple of months will likely be important. The Reds do have an option to buy the 20-year-old for £18m at the end of the season, but the Turkish international has been unconvincing so far.