Rejecting MU, the steel midfielder agreed to join Barcelona
Italian media confirmed that German centre-back Jonathan Tah has reached an agreement to join Barcelona as soon as the 2024/25 season ends.
This is considered an important step for the Catalan team to strengthen their defense before entering the new campaign.
Tah's contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires in June 2025, and the player has long expressed his desire for a new challenge. Although there were rumours that he would join Bayern Munich in the summer of 2024, the deal fell through as Leverkusen refused to let Tah leave. The 28-year-old subsequently decided not to renew his contract with the German club, paving the way for a free transfer to Barcelona.
According to Sportitalia, Tah will be Barca's first signing in the 2025/26 season. One of the key factors that made the centre-back choose the Spanish team was coach Hansi Flick. The German strategist, who is currently leading Barca, is said to have played an important role in convincing Tah to join the team.
The decision also means that Manchester United and Bayern Munich have lost out in the race to sign the German international. Tah, with his Bundesliga experience and ability to command the defence, is expected to bring solidity to Barca's backline in the coming seasons.
In addition to recruiting Tah, Barcelona is also planning an Asian tour in the summer of 2025. According to Catalunya Radio, the team may play friendly matches in China, Japan and South Korea. This is not only an opportunity for Barca to promote its brand but also helps the team earn about 20 million euros, serving financial and transfer plans.
With strategic steps from recruiting personnel to exploiting the international market, Barcelona is clearly showing its ambition to revive and continue to maintain its leading position in Europe. Jonathan Tah will be the first piece in that journey, promising to bring a new breeze to the Blaugrana defense.