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Real Madrid may be facing a major obstacle in their attempt to bring German defender Jonathan Tah to the Santiago Bernabeu, as recent reports from SPORT suggest that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen on securing the Bayer Leverkusen star for the Blaugrana in June.
Flick has reportedly requested that Barcelona pursue Tah’s signature, seeing the centre-back as a valuable addition to their squad. Currently, Tah appears to have narrowed down his options to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Bayern Munich have long been interested in bringing Tah back to the Bundesliga, having previously targeted him during the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, Barcelona could be an appealing destination for him, thanks to Flick’s influence and the potential role he might play in their defensive lineup.
What about Real Madrid?
Real Madrid initially explored the idea of signing the defender as early as January, considering the shortage of reliable options in their backline.
However, Los Blancos have been reluctant to move forward with the deal, given that the player will be available on a free transfer in six months.
Real Madrid’s management is reportedly unwilling to pay over €10 million for the defender, especially when he could be secured without a transfer fee at the season’s end.
Nevertheless, Real Madrid’s defensive needs are growing, and their interest in Tah remains active. For that matter, they have been told to spend around €15 million in January to ensure they don’t miss out on Tah.
Barcelona seem to have the upper hand
Furthermore, Flick’s connection with Tah, having managed him with the German national team, could give Barcelona a distinct advantage in negotiations.
Barcelona’s sporting project, which has gained significant momentum under Flick’s guidance this season, may also add to the club’s appeal for Tah.
In summary, while Real Madrid’s need for a defender is urgent, Barcelona’s determination to secure Tah and Flick’s influence could turn the tide in favour of the Catalan club.
If Madrid intend to bolster their defence with Tah, they may need to act quickly to outmanoeuvre their rivals and secure his signature in January.
