De Ligt talks STALL as Man Utd make late move for Euro 2024 star

Carlo Garganese

16 Jul 2024 07:45 BST
3 min read

Matthijs de Ligt, Erik ten Hag, Manchester United — © IMAGO/FootballTransfers

Manchester United have made enquiries about signing Bayer Leverkusen centre back Jonathan Tah as the deal for Matthijs de Ligt has stalled.

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United are currently in negotiations for a trio of central defenders; De Ligt from Bayern Munich, Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton and Leny Yoro from Lille.

It had appeared a matter of time until De Ligt’s move from Bayern was completed but Florian Pettenberg reports that the transfer has stalled and there is still no final agreement between the German club and United. Bayern are still waiting for the final offer from United to be tabled.

Bayern had planned to replace De Ligt with Tah, but Pettenberg also reports that there is no agreement between Leverkusen and their Bundesliga rivals for the Germany centre back.

As a result, Pettenberg reports that United have made enquiries in recent days about signing Tah themselves.

Tah enjoyed a fantastic 2023-24 season as Leverkusen roared to the Bundesliga title unbeaten, won the DFB Pokal, and were one game from completing a historic treble as they lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

He also went to Euro 2024 where he partnered Antonio Rudiger at the centre of the Germany defence.

© IMAGO - Jonathan Tah, Bayer Leverkusen

Will Tah leave Bayer Leverkusen?

But Tah’s future at Leverkusen is very much in doubt as he is out of contract in 2025.

Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes would like to keep Tah at the club long term, as they head back to the Champions League and into the European elite under Xabi Alonso, but there are no guarantees over his future.

The former Hamburg youngster has been keen on moving since the summer of 2023 and, despite Bayer 04's stunning success, this desire remains.

Though Tah is interested in challenging himself in the Premier League, with Chelsea also reported to be interested, it still seems more likely he will swap Bayer for Bayern this summer.

The Bavarians view him as their priority target to improve a defence that let in far too many goals this past season.

Having spent nine years at Leverkusen, making over 300 appearances, it is believed this may be the right time for Tah to move on.

Will he join Bayern or could Man Utd now hijack the deal and bring him to Old Trafford?