Frank Christian
Barcelona may soon benefit from the addition of a talented centre-back set to become a free agent.
Jonathan Tah, who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen, will have his contract end on June 30 this year.
The 28-year-old was crucial to Xabi Alonso’s impressive team that broke Bayern Munich’s long-standing league victory streak, leading Leverkusen to a German Cup triumph and a Europa League final appearance.
As Tah enters his prime years—many defenders in their late twenties often enjoy an additional 3-4 years at a high level—he is aware of the potential interest he will attract next summer, having already made it clear that he will not renew his contract with Leverkusen.
A supporters’ site for Barcelona, FCBN, has highlighted why securing Tah could be essential for the club’s defense.
Juan Pablo Berdugo noted, “He could be seen as a ‘bargain’ since he would join for free. Besides his significant height (1.95m/6’5″ and scoring six goals last season), he provides physical strength, effective ball distribution, and possesses the necessary experience from competing at elite levels for a decade at Leverkusen.”
Which teams are interested in Jonathan Tah?
Given the circumstances, numerous elite clubs have shown interest in Tah for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Among them are Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid, as well as Serie A teams like Juventus and Inter Milan, in addition to Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham.
Is Tah a good match for Barcelona?
Berdugo from FCBN emphasized that the current contract situation for Barcelona’s defenders—Inigo Martinez nearing 34 with an impending contract expiration, and Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia also having deals until 2026—indicates a need for a long-term solution. A three or four-year contract for a player like Tah would strengthen their defense considerably.
Moreover, current Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s prior work with Tah when he managed the German national team from 2021 to 2023 could further enhance Barcelona’s chances when interest in Tah escalates next year.
