Real Madrid have reportedly declined the opportunity to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah.
The 29-year-old defender, whose contract with the newly crowned Bundesliga champions expires this summer, has already informed the club of his intention to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
While Bayern Munich were previously in the running, it’s Barcelona who have been most frequently linked with Tah in recent months. However, despite being able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement, no deal has yet been finalised.
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are actively in the market for a new centre-back—unsurprising given the club’s long-standing interest in Arsenal’s William Saliba.
What is new, however, is the revelation that Madrid had previously been offered Tah but chose to reject the proposal.
Instead, Los Blancos are said to be prioritising a move for Saliba, although a deal is not expected to materialise this summer.
Another target under consideration is Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who has impressed during his loan spell and is seen as a long-term prospect.
The 19-year-old Spaniard, who has a £50million release clause, is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, making any potential deal complex.
Huijsen offers a profile that fits both immediate squad needs and long-term planning – he is nearly a decade younger than Tah – but Madrid are cautious about overpaying for a player of his profile.
The urgency to strengthen at centre-back stems from Eder Militao suffering a second ACL injury in two years and David Alaba’s prolonged spell on the sidelines.
Madrid could also bolster their squad at right-back, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly edging closer to a free transfer to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s interest in Tah appears to have cooled.
According to SPORT, the Catalan club informed Tah’s agent, Pini Zahavi, that they are currently unable to offer a contract due to La Liga’s strict financial regulations.
The collapse of the club’s VIP seating sponsorship deal has further impacted their budget, forcing them to either offload players or secure additional funding before pursuing new signings.
Tah is said to be “extremely excited” about the idea of joining Barcelona but is wary of becoming stuck in a contractual limbo similar to the situation Dani Olmo faced this season.
While Madrid have ruled themselves out, Tah remains a hot prospect in the free-agent market.
Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the experienced defender, whose next destination remains uncertain.
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