Bayer Leverkusen have determined their price for Jonathan Tah as Manchester United shows strong interest in the defender this summer.
United overcame significant competition from Real Madrid to secure a £52 million deal for highly regarded Lille youngster Leny Yoro, 18, and the Old Trafford club is eager to acquire another centre-back before the transfer window closes.
- Chelsea make decision on summer transfer for Arsenal star
- Man Utd to hijack move for France star despite Milan agreement
- Trent Alexander-Arnold names the best player he’s ever seen in his career
Matthijs de Ligt, 24, is another player believed to be a top target on United’s list for the centre-half position. However, United’s initial offer of about £30 million for the Netherlands international was rejected, as it fell £15 million short of Bayern Munich’s valuation.
As a result, United has had to explore other options for central defense. Recent reports from Germany suggested that Leverkusen stalwart Tah had been approached about a potential move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Bayern Munich has also been pursuing a deal for Tah but has yet to reach an agreement with Leverkusen, who ended their 11-year run as Bundesliga champions last season.
According to BILD, Leverkusen has set a €40 million (£33.5 million) price tag on Tah after rejecting Bayern’s initial offer of €18 million (£15 million) for the 28-year-old Germany defender.
The report indicates that negotiations between Leverkusen and Bayern have stalled and it is ‘not impossible’ that the transfer could fall through completely, with Tah expected to resume training with Xabi Alonso’s champions this weekend.
Tah has played over 350 matches for Leverkusen’s first team since joining from Hamburg in 2015 and was instrumental last season as the club claimed the Bundesliga title with a remarkable unbeaten record.
The in-demand German has just one year left on his current contract at BayArena, forcing Leverkusen to decide whether to sell him this summer or risk losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time.
Asked about his future last month, Tah emphasized that he did not want to leave Leverkusen in a position where he could depart without a fee.
‘It is clear that I will have to make a decision at some point,’ he told Sky Germany.
‘I will either extend my contract or I should leave because the club doesn’t want to end up in a situation where a player leaves the club for free.’
He added: ‘I’m thinking about the right next step for me, whether I stay in Leverkusen or go elsewhere.
‘I don’t think it’s good to mention names of other clubs, but of course the next step should be the right one and feel good.’
