Tah and Barcelona: a story that returns two years and €20m later

Barcelona made a €20m offer for Bayern Munich defender Tah in August 2024, but Leverkusen wanted €30m; fresh interest reported but Bayern unlikely to sell.

Barcelona's interest in Jonathan Tah dates back two years, with the club making a formal €20m bid to Bayer Leverkusen on 28 August 2024 when the German centre-back was 28 and one of manager Xabi Alonso's priorities. Hansi Flick, Barcelona's manager, knew Tah well from his time as Germany coach and valued his physical presence, international experience and ability to build play from the back.

Tah's contract with Leverkusen was set to expire on 30 June 2025, making a free transfer possible, and both shared agent Pini Zahavi.

Leverkusen rejected the offer, seeking around €30m instead. Barcelona, unwilling to pay a high fee for a player who would be free a year later, stepped back. In December 2024, Barcelona's football director Deco travelled to Germany to meet Zahavi's representatives and discuss a potential summer 2025 free transfer, with both sides leaving the meeting optimistic. However, Barcelona's decision to renew Ronald Araujo ended that pursuit.

German media now report Barcelona have made fresh enquiries, but Bayern Munich—who signed Tah—are unlikely to let him leave, with three senior centre-backs rotating in the role. Tah has since lost prominence at Bayern.