Man Utd enter race for ‘quality’ £25.5m defender in summer transfer window
Three other clubs want to sign him.
Manchester United have positioned themselves as contenders to sign ‘quality’ Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, according to reports.
Tah, who is valued at €30m (£25.5) by Transfermarkt, will become a free agent in the summer transfer window once his current contract expires.
The Red Devils are in race to land the 29-year-old centre-back’s signature, though, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona all tracking him.
The Germany international helped Bayer Leverkusen clinch the Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal trophy last season under head coach Xabi Alonso.
Tah was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season last term and has also made the Europa League Team of the Season on three occasions.
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Alonso spoke incredibly highly of Tah last week, declaring him ‘perhaps the most consistent player’ at the club in their remarkable 2023-24 campaign.
‘There is clarity – we can talk about his future,’ Alonso said. ‘Since the start of the season, he was very clear in discussions.
‘His attitude, his quality, his professionalism – he was perhaps the most consistent player in our squad this season. He played excellently. And he deserves to decide about his future.’
United are ‘actively considering a move’ for Tah at the end of the season, Sky Sports reported on Wednesday.
Tah has been at Bayer Leverkusen for the last 10 years – playing 399 games for the Bundesliga side to date – but is seeking a new challenge.
He’s earned 35 caps for Germany so far and was named in their squad for Euro 2024.
Bayern Munich tried to sign Tah last summer but were unable to agree a deal with Bayer Leverkusen.
They would be an attractive option for Tah this summer if the player wishes to continue his playing career in the German top-flight.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, could be in a perfect position to land Tah given that Alonso is expected to become the club’s new manager.
Barcelona’s mission to land Tah is more complicated with the club believed to be dealing with financial constraints impacting player registration.
Tah may decide to test himself in the Premier League instead – with a move to United very much a possibility at the end of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, United are closing in on a deal to sign French starlet Enzo Kana-Biyik on a free transfer.
The 18-year-old is out of contract at Le Havre this summer with United moving quickly to snap up the talented forward.
