Tottenham Hotspur were up against Barcelona and Manchester United for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah
Tottenham Hotspur upped the ante during the final days of the January transfer window and made a couple of decent signings. One of those to arrive at White Hart Lane was centre-back Kevin Danso on loan from RC Lens, with an obligation to buy in the summer.
Spurs have been hit hard with injuries this season, especially in their backline with first-choice centre-back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven spending months on the sidelines. Their backup Radu Dragusin sustained an ACL injury recently, ruling him out for the rest of the season and beyond.
While young Archie Gray has done a commendable job deputizing in central defence, his natural position lies in the middle of the park. Thus, the Lilywhites are in dire need of further defensive reinforcements given the injuries and lack of depth in the squad.
Before signing Danso, the North Londoners were linked with several defenders including Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah. The Hotspur Way chiefs were actually looking at signing Jonathan Tah, who is out of contract at Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Tottenham explored a possible bargain deal for the German defender but a move didn’t come to fruition. The club’s interest in Tah hasn’t faded and they will try to sign him on a potential free transfer in the summer.
However, according to an exclusive report from TBR Football, Tah is set to snub both Spurs and Manchester United in favour of joining Barcelona ahead of the 2025/26 season. Viewed as one of the Bundesliga’s top defenders, Barcelona are currently leading the race to sign him on a Bosman transfer from Bayer Leverkusen.
The German international was a pillar at the back for Leverkusen last season, helping Xabi Alonso’s side win the Bundesliga title for the first time in the club’s history. He was sensational throughout the season and also established himself as a crucial player for the national team under Julian Nagelsmann, starting every game in the Euro 2024 barring the round of 16.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the 29-year-old has no shortage of suitors ahead of his potential free agency status. As for Tottenham, Ange Postecoglou requires a leader who can be relied upon on the pitch with his durability and availability, and Tah fits that criteria perfectly.
However, the Hamburg-born star angling a move towards Barcelona should come as a big blow for Spurs. The Hotspur Way chiefs have been vying for Tah’s signature for some time now as perhaps they viewed him as the ideal player to marshal Postecoglou’s defence. And if Cristian Romero were to depart this summer, despite the club wanting to make him the highest-paid player at N-17, the Leverkusen ace would have been an ideal mid-term replacement for the 2022 World Cup winner.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- “I imagine it will be…” – Ex-Spurs scout speaks who will make Romero decision ahead of Chelsea game
- £20.7m move could revive Tottenham’s midfield as Spurs receive boost in pursuit – Opinion
- Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace
All in all, if Tottenham are to change Tah’s mind and lure him to North London, they’d need to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
