Bayern Munich speed up efforts for 29-year-old Barcelona target, aiming to reach agreement in May | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have some crucial matches awaiting them as they reach the final phase of this 2024-25 season, but the Catalan side is also working on shaping its plans to reinforce the team in the upcoming summer transfer window.

In this window, one of the areas of the Blaugrana team that is being touted to see some change is that of the defence. Hansi Flick currently has up to five centre-backs in his ranks, while Barcelona have also been closely linked with yet another player for this position for the last few months.

Barcelona linked with Jonathan Tah

This player is the Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, whose contract with the German side is expiring at the end of this season, and the 29-year-old centre-back has already confirmed that he will not continue with his current team.

The Blaugranes, led by Deco, have shown great interest in the defender, and have been in contacts with his agent, Pini Zahavi. The Israeli agent, who also represents Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick, was keen to finalise the move, but it is clear that the Catalans will have to part ways with at least one of their defenders before they can make a move for Tah.

The problem for Barcelona is that none of these defenders want to leave, not even Ronald Araujo, who has lost his starting spot, or Andreas Christensen, who wants to fulfil his contract that goes till 2026. As a result, Deco has already informed Tah that he is a priority for them, but they cannot guarantee his signing this summer.

Barcelona target Jonathan Tah. [Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images]

Bayern Munich speed up the operation

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have also been linked with the defender in recent weeks. Now, according to SPORT, the Bavarians are speeding up their efforts in this operation, and are trying to reach an agreement with Tah in this month of May.

The main promoter of this operation for the Bundesliga side is the Sporting Director Max Eberl, who also wanted the defender in his team last year. At that time, Bayern had offered €20 million for Tah, but negotiations broke down as Bayer Leverkusen wanted €25 million. But now, as the centre-back is going to be free, negotiations are expected to be easier.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, they will not make a move until they reach a conclusive point in their La Liga and UEFA Champions League campaigns. Thus, it remains to be seen whether Jonathan Tah will wait for the Blaugranes or decide to join Bayern.