Real Madrid face fresh Juventus competition for free-transfer target | OneFootball

Real Madrid are planning to bolster their centre-back options in the summer of 2025, with several names already being linked to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Among the potential targets is Bayer Leverkusen and Germany defender Jonathan Tah.

The 28-year-old Tah, whose contract with the Bundesliga champions expires at the end of this season, is widely expected to leave his current club.

Real Madrid are closely monitoring his situation, but they face competition from arch-rivals Barcelona and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Juventus Enters the Fray

According to reports from Italy, as relayed by SPORT, Juventus have now joined the race for Tah’s signature.

The Bianconeri are considering an opportunistic January bid for the defender, rather than waiting until the end of the season to sign him on a free transfer.

Juventus want Jonathan Tah. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Juve’s interest is partly driven by a recent serious knee injury to Gleison Bremer, prompting their search for defensive reinforcements.

The Italian club are exploring the possibility of securing Tah for a reduced fee in the upcoming transfer window.

However, Bayer Leverkusen are resistant to the idea of losing their key defender mid-season, though the prospect of seeing him leave for free in the summer is equally unappealing.

While Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Tah, their focus appears to be on younger prospects. The Spanish champions have shown interest in players like Vitor Reis, Castello Lukeba, and Yarek Gasiorowski.

Nevertheless, the opportunity to sign an experienced player like Tah, who is entering his prime years, on a free transfer could prove too tempting to ignore.

As the transfer saga unfolds, it remains to be seen how Real Madrid will position themselves in this competitive pursuit.