Levante is on the verge of completing the signing of young French defender Axel Tape. The Granota club is negotiating the final details of a loan agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the 19-year-old player, according to a report by Mundo Deportivo on Saturday.
The player, who can operate as both a central defender and a defensive midfielder, was scheduled to arrive in Valencia on Saturday to undergo his medical examination and sign his new contract. The deal would run until the end of the current season. This move comes as Levante sits 17th in La Liga with just one point from two games, seeking to bolster a defence that has conceded three goals without scoring any.
Who is Axel Tape?
Axel Tape is a 19-year-old French footballer developed in the Paris Saint-Germain academy. His professional career started at the Parisian club before he made the move to German football with Bayer Leverkusen. He has played a total of eight matches for the Bundesliga side. His versatility to play in defence and in midfield is one of the attributes that most attracted Levante's sporting management. The club needs defensive solidity, especially ahead of the next match against Malaga, a direct rival in the lower part of the standings.
How does he fit into the current squad?
The arrival of Tape provides a direct reinforcement for a defensive line that has shown weaknesses at the start of the league campaign. The team, which is six points behind leaders Alaves, needs stability at the back to improve results. The manager could use him both in the heart of the defence and in the holding midfield role, adding youth and ball recovery ability. His signing adds to the options available in the squad for a long season. The immediate objective is to get the first three points in the visit to La Rosaleda stadium on September 6th.
What details remain to be finalised?
According to Mundo Deportivo's information, negotiations are focused on the final administrative and contractual aspects. This is not a permanent transfer but a loan until June 2027. The process is very advanced, with the player's trip to Valencia and the scheduling of medical tests already completed. Once this step is passed, the club will make the signing official. The operation is shaping up as a loan without a purchase option, a formula that allows Levante to strengthen without a significant financial outlay in this summer market.
What is the sporting context of the signing?
Levante faces the closing of the transfer window with an urgent need to improve its performance. With a record of zero wins, one draw, and one loss, and a goal difference of -3, the team requires reinforcements that bring solidity. The addition of a young player with potential like Tape addresses that need. The club wants to change its dynamic before the international break, and this signing is the first step. Fans can follow the team's progress and check all the season's stats on our website.
The signing of Axel Tape is part of a strategy to strengthen the defence in an attempt to climb away from a difficult position in the table. The coming days will be key for his integration and for the team to secure its first victory in the competition.
