Barcelona look set to miss out on free agent target Jonathan Tah this summer, with the Germany international poised to reject a move to Catalonia. Tah already has an agreement with Barcelona on contract terms, and has done for some months, but the Catalan giants have been unable to give him guarantees over his registration, due to their salary limit struggles.
Tah and Barcelona had agreed terms back in February, but Barcelona told the 29-year-old that until one or more of the five central defenders on their books currently exited, they could not feasibly sign him. It appears that Tah has run out of patience, and after saying recently that a decision on his future would come soon, it seems that it will not be in Barcelona’s favour.
Bayern Munich return for Jonathan Tah
Having agreed terms with Tah last summer, Bayern were unable to close a deal with Leverkusen. Back in April, Bayern reignited interest in Tah, having previously declared that they were no longer in the race for him. Now CFBayern report that Tah has now decided he is keen to stay in Germany, after previously augering for a move to Spain.
Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign Tah earlier in the season, but with Xabi Alonso arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu, Tah was also cited as a potential alternative if they did not bring in their first choice defensive options. Despite approaches from Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, he looks set to join Bayern.
Barcelona move no longer being considered
Tah and his camp have run out of rope to give Barcelona, and no longer see it as a option. On Monday, Bayern Sporting Director Max Eberl received approval from the board to make the signing, and he will offer Tah a three-year deal. In Catalonia, MD add that the Blaugrana have accepted that Tah will not be joining the club.
Pablo Torre has overcome knee problems, and was able to train with the group today. @sport
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 14, 2025
Missed opportunity for Barcelona?
The Blaugrana have made a habit of picking up proven free agents in recent years, and Tah would have been another in that tradition. They are not short of central defenders for next season, but without certainty on Ronald Araujo’s future, Tah could have been a post-Inigo Martinez partner for Pau Cubarsi in the medium term.
