Ruben Amorim is awaiting his first summer window as Manchester United boss. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Manchester United are waiting in the wings to see if they can pip Bayern Munich to the signing of soon-to-be-free agent Jonathan Tah.
While not INEOS’ priority heading into the window, unlike forwards, reinforcements in the backline will be essential at Old Trafford this summer due to the impending departures of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, both of whom will bid farewell to the club when their contracts expire next month.
As such, United are currently scouring the market for any cut-price signings, with Tah, who will leave Bayer Leverkusen in the coming weeks, a name on the shortlist.
Tah enjoyed a tremendous 2024/2024 term
The stalwart centre-half has enjoyed 10 years with Leverkusen following a move from Hamburg in 2015. It’s allowed to ply his trade in his native Germany, whilst also earning 35 caps for the national team since 2016.
He played an integral role at the heart of Xabi Alonso’s squad last season as they oversaw an emphatic invincible title-winning campaign. They conceded only 24 goals throughout, highlighting just how significant a role Tah, whom Alonso hailed as ‘one of the world’s best’ in his position, and his defensive counterparts played.
How Tah’s situation could pan out in the coming weeks
Such stellar form didn’t go unnoticed by his suitors, especially by Bayern Munich, who could only watch on as they went trophyless for the first time since 2012.
The Bundesliga giants have had their sights set on Tah for several months now, even going as far as reaching an agreement for his switch to the Allianz Arena last summer. However, in the event a deal fails to materialise, United are keeping tabs from afar in hopes of snapping up the 29-year-old.
German football expert Christian Falk shared his understanding of the situation in his CF Bayern Insider column. He explained: “Many clubs are following Jonathan Tah, including Premier League sides. Still, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that Bayern Munich had an agreement in the pipeline last summer, and now he’s set to become a free agent.
“It would be easier to bring him in now, and Bayern have made it clear that they need a new centre-back with Eric Dier set to join Monaco this summer. So Bayern Munich will look to try and get him.
“Manchester United, who have been linked with Tah, is always going to be a serious competitor. I think Jonathan Tah would like to have an experience in the Premier League. There aren’t so many clubs searching in this position, so, of course, United is an opportunity.”
