Liverpool handed a golden opportunity to acquire Leverkusen star for free as Bayern Munich suggests interest

Jonathan Tah has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.

Liverpool is one of the clubs seriously considering an approach to sign Jonathan Tah next summer, following the defender’s confirmation that he plans to leave Bayer Leverkusen as a free agent in 2025. However, Liverpool will face competition from Bayern Munich, as both clubs vie for his signature after a significant revelation.

Tah is considered one of the top defenders in the Bundesliga and had an exceptional season under Xabi Alonso, contributing to Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title in their 120-year history. Playing in a three-man defense, Tah established a formidable partnership with Edmund Tapsoba and either Odilon Kossounou, Josip Stanisic, or Piero Hincapie, as Leverkusen’s defense was breached only 24 times in 34 matches.

Since that title-winning season, both Kossounou and Stanisic have departed, moving to Atalanta and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Despite summer interest in both Tah and Tapsoba, neither player left, and both will again play key roles in Alonso’s effort to defend their title.

Interest in the 28-year-old German defender Tah has been substantial. Barcelona and Bayern Munich both approached his agent about a potential summer transfer, but neither club proceeded with an official bid after learning of Leverkusen’s asking price.

Tah has now confirmed his intention to leave BayArena in 2025, as his contract expires next summer and he is eager for a new major challenge. Unless Leverkusen can secure a transfer deal for him in the winter window, he is likely to depart as a free agent next summer.

Tah affirms desire to depart Leverkusen as Liverpool lie low

While on international duty, Tah told SZ: “No, my decision is as clear as before. I will not renew my contract for professional reasons.

“I still have a contract until 2025 and until then I will give everything for Leverkusen. A football career is short and that is why I have always had the idea of making the most of it. I simply want to exploit the potential that exists in my career. And in the summer I had the feeling that now is the time to look at something new, right now, after such a successful season.

“I have been at Leverkusen for nine years, I have experienced all the ups and downs here and the highlight was the fantastic last season in which we won almost everything. It couldn’t have been better. And so I thought: if I renew my contract at Leverkusen now, at 28, that means I will play here until I am 30 or 40 years old.”

As a result of Tah’s confirmation to leave, Liverpool has been strongly linked with the defender, as Arne Slot seeks a long-term replacement for Joel Matip, with Virgil van Dijk, 33, also approaching the final 10 months of his contract at Anfield.

Barcelona is also expected to renew their interest, encouraged by the opportunity to sign one of their major summer 2024 targets on a free transfer.

However, the most significant challenge may come from Bayern Munich, who have already made a strong approach for Tah this summer.

Asked about the possibility of joining Vincent Kompany’s side next season, Tah did not dismiss the idea.

“That’s a good question. We’ll see. I’m not thinking about it yet. I have a season ahead of me with Bayer Leverkusen.

“There were other offers [this summer], not just from Bayern.

“I like playing at Leverkusen, but I would have liked everything to be as rational as possible and not have had so many emotions involved.”