Real Madrid has allegedly gained an advantage in their quest for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah following his agent’s statement that the defender will go to a prominent team in the summer.
The 28-year-old experienced an undefeated season under Xabi Alonso’s guidance in 2023-24, seizing the league title from Bayern Munich and becoming the inaugural Bundesliga side to remain unbeaten over a full domestic campaign. Tah was instrumental for Leverkusen, commencing 30 of 34 league matches and contributing four goals and one assist.
If Alonso remains with the title winners beyond this season, he may have a defensive dilemma, as the center-back’s contract expires in the summer, allowing him to go the club without compensation, with Bayern suggested as a possible destination. It has been proposed that Real Madrid may pursue Tah’s signature, following remarks from the centre-back’s agent, Pini Zahavi, indicating that his client will transfer to a prominent club in the summer. According to Marca, the Spanish champions might capitalize on the opportunity to acquire the German player after their injury crisis this season. Next summer, he will join a prominent club, and Bayern retains strong prospects for acquiring him. Zahavi informed reporters that he will join a prominent team next summer.
Numerous injuries Carlo Ancelotti has secured two Champions League titles since resuming his managerial role at Los Blancos in 2021; nevertheless, he has faced some criticism this season. His team presently occupies second place in La Liga with 27 points, six points off of leaders Barcelona, and recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League on November 5. Despite Ancelotti’s difficulties in achieving equilibrium in the attacking line with players such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, Los Blancos presently own only one fit senior centre-back and two fit senior full-backs. Defender Eder Militao was carried out on a stretcher during the match against Osasuna on Saturday due to a potentially severe knee injury, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be absent until the next season. Even holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has experience playing in the heart of defence, is expected to miss out for the next month, and it is difficult to see how centre-back Antonio Rudiger can manage in the absence of so many key defensive players. While incorporating Tah into the Los Blancos roster will not resolve their current challenges, it may mitigate the risk of a recurrence of this season’s turmoil.
Rivalry with Bayern Tah’s acquisition may prove to be a strategic signing for Real, however the German is expected to attract several bidders in the summer. Bayern has a longstanding interest in the centre-back, with assertions that he would have joined the Bavarians this season if Leverkusen had reduced their asking price. Vincent Kompany’s team seems to be the most formidable rival to Los Blancos for Tah’s signature; however, considering that clubs like Manchester City are also experiencing injury issues, it would not be unexpected for further sides to join the competition. Tah might be convinced to relocate to Spain if his present boss transitions to Madrid in 2025, as has been widely speculated. Given that the defender’s contract expires at the conclusion of the season, it is unequivocal that the competition for his acquisition will be intense in 2025.