Manchester United are interested in signing one of Germany’s best defenders, according to Sport BILD (page 24).
The Red Devils bolstered their central defensive department with Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt during the recent transfer window.
The club could reinforce the backline further next year and Sport BILD claim that Bayer Leverkuen’s Jonathan Tah is on their radar.
The 28-year-old has a big wish of playing in the Premier League and would ideally prefer to join a Champions League outfit.
The Red Devils hold an interest in signing him on a free transfer with his Leverkusen contract expiring in the summer of 2025.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also mentioned as admirers of the Hamburg graduate.
United unlikely to pursue deal for Tah
The Germany international was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich this summer, but a deal did not materialise in the end.
Tah made it clear that he would not be extending his contract, but Leverkusen were reluctant to sell him without a quality successor.
They are now likely to lose him on a free transfer, considering manager Xabi Alonso may not entertain a cut-price sale in January.
United can negotiate a pre-contract with Tah in January, but we don’t see a deal happening after the change in transfer policy.
The club are focused on signing emerging talents or players entering the prime of their careers.
23 was the average age of the club’s arrivals this summer. Noussair Mazraoui was the oldest acquisition for United at 26 years of age.
In comparison, Tah will turn 29 in February next year. He is currently on £46,000 per week and may demand a huge wage hike.
Aside from his salary, the centre-back will want a significant signing-on fee to join on a free transfer.
In our opinion, Tah could be past his prime in one or two seasons and it would not represent good business for the Red Devils.
The defender may want an assured starting role and Champions League football, none of which can be guaranteed for next season.
Tah could still end up in the Premier League with a rival. He has an ‘imposing‘ presence and won 72% of his aerial duels in the last campaign.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
