Barcelona and Real Madrid set to lock horns over €30m German defender | OneFootball

Although FC Barcelona did not sign any free agents in the last summer transfer window, the Catalans are reportedly keeping their eyes on several players whose contracts are ending in 2025.

One such player is German defender Jonathan Tah, whose contract with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen is set to expire next year. With Tah unwilling to renew his deal, he could leave the club on a free transfer during the upcoming summer window.

Currently, he is emerging as one of the best players whom the big European clubs can incorporate into their teams for free next year. Thus, Barcelona are expected to face significant competition for his signature.

And this competition is not going to come far from home, as SPORT reports that one of the clubs who have started negotiations with the defender is Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich have also made contact with the player, but they are not one of the leaders for his signing, and the final battle for him looks likely to be fought between the El Clasico rivals.

The Catalans like the German a lot, particularly for his physical prowess. Deco already wanted to bring him into the team last summer, and a move was made through his agent, Pini Zahavi, but Bayer Leverkusen’s asking price and Barcelona’s limited salary cap made this operation impossible.

For now, the path is getting paved for the €30m-rated defender’s arrival at Barcelona, but the German understands that he will have to wait for some time as the Blaugranes can incorporate him only after parting ways with one of their current important defenders whose contract ends in 2026.

There are two main candidates for this departure from Barcelona, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. Both these players have their contracts ending in 2026, and the Uruguayan is yet to arrive at an agreement with the club, while the Dane has not yet been offered a new contract.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also looking to strengthen their rather weak defense with Tah’s signing, but Pini Zahavi’s good relations with the Barcelona hierarchy can tip the balance in the Catalans’ favor.