Barcelona has already celebrated securing a transfer that Florentino Pérez had his eye on. Real Madrid is facing a major issue in the center of its defense, with only one of its three center-backs (Militão, Alaba, and Rüdiger) available. Meanwhile, Barça boasts six center-backs, and Joan Laporta has succeeded in taking the one Florentino wanted.
Jonathan Tah Rejects Florentino to Join Barça
Jonathan Tah has opted for Barcelona, despite Real Madrid’s tempting offer. He preferred to play under Hansi Flick’s guidance at Barça.
Tah, 29, is the standout center-back in the Bundesliga and the leader of Bayer Leverkusen’s defense, the current champions. His contract expires on June 30, and he has decided to embark on a new adventure with Barcelona.
Since this summer, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona have all vied for the German player’s signature, followed later by interest from Manchester City and Arsenal. In the end, it was Barça’s offer, perhaps the least glamorous, that won him over. Laporta has succeeded in snatching him from Florentino, and Tah is already Barça’s first signing for the 2025-26 season.
His Club Demanded 80 Million for His Transfer, but He’ll Join Barça for Free
Barcelona attempted to sign him last summer, but Bayer Leverkusen raised the price to 80 million, prompting Deco to hold off until June 30, 2025. On that date, Tah will be available for free and can sign with Barça without a transfer fee.
Tah committed to Barça during Deco’s visit to Leverkusen on December 6, as revealed by Jijantes. During that meeting, Deco agreed on the terms with the player’s agent: a five-year contract and financial conditions.
This will be a free transfer, similar to previous signings like Gündogan, Christensen, Franck Kessié, and Íñigo Martínez.
Tah is a crucial player for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. In addition to being a regular for the German national team, he has played every minute of the 15 Bundesliga matchdays, totaling 1,350 minutes.
Did Barça Need a Center-back?
Always a starter, Tah has also managed to score two goals in the Bundesliga, despite being a defender.
None of the parties have revealed the details of the agreement, but at Barça, there’s satisfaction in securing a deal seen as crucial for the future. However, it’s worth considering whether strengthening the center-back position was the most pressing need for the team.
With Koundé in reserve, alongside Araújo, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Christensen, and Eric García, a center-back transfer doesn’t seem essential. Yet, the decision was influenced by both Tah’s addition to Barça and the desire to prevent him from joining Real Madrid.
Tah is a strong defender with tactical intelligence in ball distribution. His excellent personality makes him highly valued by Hansi Flick, as is the case with Íñigo Martínez.
Tah will sign with Barça under a contract with ascending conditions, similar to Lewandowski’s. His salary will start lower and increase, reaching its peak in the final year of the contract.
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal offered him more money than Barça, but Tah was particularly eager to wear the blaugrana jersey and play in the new Camp Nou.
Which Center-backs Will Barça Sell?
Íñigo Martínez and Cubarsí are untouchable for Hansi Flick, while the others are available for sale. Flick won’t stand in the way of Araújo, Christensen, or Eric García leaving.
It seems that Christensen and Eric García are the likely departures. Both arrived on free transfers, so any sale would generate a profit. Eric García is expected to leave in the upcoming winter market, while Christensen could be sold next summer.
Jonathan Tah is now at Barça, and Deco takes pride in having secured a transfer that Florentino Pérez was keen on. Real Madrid is in greater need of a center-back than Barça, and their search for a player with the same caliber as Tah is more urgent.
