Real Madrid Wants to "Steal" a Signing from Barcelona
The upcoming summer transfer window is shaping up to be another showdown between the two giants of Spanish football, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. According to the German newspaper Bild, the white club has set its sights on Jonathan Tah, central defender of Bayer Leverkusen, who had been one of Barça's priority targets to strengthen their defense for the next season.
Jonathan Tah, 28, has been a key player in Bayer Leverkusen's defense under Xabi Alonso's management, and last summer, both Barcelona and Bayern Munich showed interest in signing the German international. However, the German club chose not to sell him, preferring to risk losing him for free.
FC Barcelona had marked Tah as one of their strategic signings for 2024. However, Real Madrid's intervention, a new contender in the race for the center-back, could complicate Barça's plans. According to *Bild*, Madrid has already begun talks with the player's representatives, who will be in a position to freely negotiate his future in January.
Real Madrid's interest in Tah stems from their need to strengthen their defense, mainly due to David Alaba's ongoing recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The arrival of an experienced center-back like Tah, a starter for the German national team, could be crucial for the Whites heading into next season.
The prospect of acquiring a player of Tah's caliber without a transfer fee has made the signing even more attractive for Real Madrid. Starting in January, Tah will be able to evaluate all the offers he receives to decide his professional future, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona ready to present their best proposals.