Jonathan Tah, the solid center-back from Bayer Leverkusen, is shaping up to be one of the standout signings for next season, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich as the main contenders for his transfer. With his contract ending in June, Tah has decided not to renew with Leverkusen, leaving open the possibility of a free transfer to his future team. This situation has attracted the interest of several European clubs, though the German defender appears set on limiting his options to the Bundesliga and La Liga.

According to sources in Germany, Tah has declined offers from Italian clubs, including Inter and Juventus, expressing a preference for Bayern or Barcelona. Hansi Flick, the Barça coach, is one of the advocates pushing for Tah’s potential move to Camp Nou, viewing the player as an ideal fit to strengthen the Blaugrana defense. Flick knows the player well from his years in the Bundesliga and believes his style would suit Barça’s defensive setup.

Barcelona has sustained interest in Tah since last summer, although at that time Leverkusen had set a high asking price despite him having only one year left on his contract. Now, with the prospect of a free transfer, Barça sees Tah as a crucial market opportunity, especially considering the recurring injuries among their current center-backs. With Jules Koundé now solidified as a right-back and frequent absences from players like Christensen and Araujo, bringing in an experienced center-back like Tah becomes even more appealing.

The link with Pini Zahavi, who represents both Tah and Flick, as well as players like Robert Lewandowski, could play in Barça’s favor. Zahavi has shown strong ties with both Barcelona and Bayern, creating pressure on both clubs to present the best sporting project and role for the center-back. While at Bayern Tah might have a guaranteed starting spot given their defensive issues, at Barça he would likely compete for a place in the starting eleven. With these factors on the table, Tah is expected to make his decision based on the projection and role each club can offer him for the upcoming season.