Barcelona favourites to land top-rated defender but Bayern Munich are not backing down | OneFootball

Barcelona’s hopes of securing the signing of Jonathan Tah are alive—but far from straightforward.

This is because, according to SPORT, even though the German international has made it clear he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, the Catalan club are now facing growing pressure from Bayern Munich, who are ready to fight hard for the defender’s services.

The 29-year-old centre-back will be available on a free transfer this summer, making him one of the most valuable low-cost options in the European market.

Barcelona, looking to strengthen their backline without stretching their fragile finances, are very keen on sealing the deal. But the competition is intensifying, with Bayern Munich now entering the fray in a serious way.

Bayern’s push backed by Matthaus

Legendary German footballer Lothar Matthaus has publicly urged Bayern Munich to prioritise signing Tah. In a recent interview, he was clear in his recommendation:

Barcelona are facing competition for Bayern Munich. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

“Bayern made a mistake last summer by not signing Tah. But maybe this time he will make the decision to play in Munich. If I had to advise Bayern, I would say they need the best, and Tah is one of the best,” he said.

His argument was based on the lack of impact of Kim Min-Jae, who has struggled to consistently meet expectations.

Barcelona leading the race

Despite the noise from Munich, Barcelona remain in pole position for now. The key advantage for Barça lies in their manager, Hansi Flick, who is someone the defender reportedly admires.

Flick’s arrival has shifted the momentum in Barcelona’s favour, as the German tactician is expected to bring clarity, discipline, and a more structured defensive approach—qualities that would certainly appeal to a player like Tah.

Moreover, the fact that Tah would come on a free transfer is of massive importance to Barcelona’s sporting project.

With limited funds available and several potential exits on the cards this summer, bringing in a proven defender without a transfer fee could be one of the smartest moves the club can make.