Barcelona given free run at top summer target

Tom Weber

Updated: 16 Feb 2025 17:48 GMT
3 min read

Bayern Munich have officially ended their pursuit of Jonathan Tah, leaving Barcelona with a free run at their top defensive target.

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The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back was at the heart of last summer's biggest transfer saga in the Bundesliga. Tah wanted to leave the reigning German champions and sign for their rivals from Bavaria.

Tah felt confident that Leverkusen would grant his wish as he only had a year left to run on his contract and had already made it clear that he wouldn't sign an extension.

However, Leverkusen played hardball in the negotiations with Bayern. The talks between the two clubs ultimately yielded no result and the relationship between them deteriorated to the point where Bayer CEO Fernando Carro said that if it were up to him, he would never again do business with Bayern director Max Eberl.

Tah ultimately stayed put, but the transfer speculation surrounding his future did not subside, with Bayern, Barcelona and Real Madrid all said to be keen on him.

Barcelona given Tah boost

In late 2024, reports surfaced that rather than Bayern, it was actually Barcelona who were closing in on an agreement with Tah for a free transfer in the summer.

Links with the Munich outfit nevertheless continued, but Bayern have now officially announced that they have ended their pursuit of the Germany international.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said after Saturday's 0-0 between Leverkusen and his club that Tah is no longer an option for the league leaders.

"[Tah] is not a topic for us at the moment," Freund insisted. "You can see that our defence is doing well now, they have really solidified. We're not conceding many goals. That's why we're very, very happy at the moment."

This will be welcome news for Barcelona, who are working to finalise their agreement with Tah to make him their first signing of the summer.