Chelsea overtaken by shock club in race to sign Tuchel favourite

Tom Weber

• Updated: 23 Dec 2023 13:50 GMT
• 3 min read

West Ham have barged into the race to sign Jonathan Tah, according to German media.

The Bayer Leverkusen star is quickly becoming one of the Bundesliga's most sought-after players. With his contract up in 2025, the league leaders will likely have to sell in 2024.

Moreover, Tah boasts a bargain release clause of just €18 million. Unsurprisingly, then, his impressive performances this term at the heart of the Bundesliga's stoutest defence have aroused high-profile interest.

In recent weeks, Chelsea had been linked with a move for the 27-year-old in their bid to find a replacement for Thiago Silva. The 39-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has often hinted that his time in London - and perhaps in football - is coming to an end.

More recently, Bayern Munich entered the fray. Reports in Germany asserted that Tah is a player greatly admired by former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and that he could be a cheaper alternative to priority target Ronald Araujo, who is nigh on unattainable for the Bavarians.

West Ham's advantage

A fresh report from BILD now claims that West Ham are also interested in Tah. In fact, they could be considered the favourites to land him because of one key advantage.

Tah has never made a secret of his desire to play in the Premier League. The defender joined superagent Pini Zahavi earlier in the year to force a move to England in the summer, but nothing ultimately materialised.

It is asserted that the 27-year-old would be prepared to snub the German record champions in favour of a transfer to the Premier League. A move to West Ham is also more realistic than a one to Chelsea given his age and the fact that, prior to this season, the German international often flattered to deceive.