Jonathan Tah makes his farewell to Leverkusen official: Is the defender's destination at Barça?

It's official. German defender Jonathan Tah, 29 years old, has confirmed that he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024/25 season. Although it had been an open secret for months, the defender himself has put an end to any doubts about his immediate future. In an interview granted to the German media outlet 'Kicker', the center-back stated:

"I don't have a deadline. But the club knows it. And, as always, I have communicated everything with complete transparency. Everything has been said from the beginning. There was a moment when I made the decision not to renew my contract and not to stay here, and it remains that way," he stated.

Free to Negotiate: Jonathan Tah Can Choose His Next Destination

With this announcement, the race for the signing of Jonathan Tah officially opens, who since January 1st is in a legal position to negotiate freely with any team, as he will be free from July 1st. The news has sparked the interest of several major European clubs, including teams from the Premier League, Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona.

Precisely, one of the clubs most attentive to this situation is the Azulgrana team. Jonathan Tah has been linked to Barça on several occasions, not only because of his favorable contractual situation, as he would arrive on a free transfer (without having to pay a transfer fee), but also because of his characteristics, which fit important characteristics that Hansi Flick values.

• 📊 JONATHAN TAH STATISTICS IN THE 2024-25 SEASON WITH BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Three goals and one assist in 45 appearances.

Why is Jonathan Tah seen as a good incorporation candidate for Barcelona?

• Dominant in aerial play (measures 1.95 meters)
• Quick to intercept and firm in one-on-one situations
• Well-versed in the art of playing the offside trap
• With good ball distribution from the back

The Azulgrana Team Must Get Rid of a Defender to Consider Signing the German Defender

Now, apparently, the operation could be subject to the fact that FC Barcelona, in order to incorporate Jonathan Tah, will have to release one of the defenders they already have on the roster. It is worth remembering that the Azulgrana team currently has five center-backs:

• Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez: whose role does not seem to be in question.
• Ronald Araújo: who recently renewed and would only leave in the event of a very high offer.
• Eric García: a versatile player who can even act as a midfielder.
• Andreas Christensen: who, of all of them, is the most likely to leave in the next summer market.

Decongesting this area would facilitate the signing of Jonathan Tah, who, according to various reports, would have prioritized an offer from FC Barcelona at all times. The Catalan club maintains a good relationship with the player's agent, Pini Zahavi, who is also the representative of other culé elements such as Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski, which could be key to directing the negotiation.

Will the Catalan Team Manage to Finalize the Signing of Tah Soon?

Now it remains to be seen how quick and effective Barcelona's offensive will be to close the incorporation of the German, especially considering the restrictions imposed by financial 'fair play'. Beyond that, it will also have to be verified whether Jonathan Tah continues to maintain his priority for the Azulgrana team in the face of the growing interest of clubs such as Bayern Munich and several teams from the Premier League, who are very interested in incorporating him.