The last time Manchester United held talks with one of football’s most renowned agents, negotiations ended up collapsing late on.
Pini Zahavi confirmed over the weekend that a deal to take Thomas Tuchel to Old Trafford was ‘practically done’, only for the former Bayern Munich boss to take over from Gareth Southgate in the England dugout instead.
According to reports, Tuchel had reservations about the power he would wield – or a lack thereof – with regards to Manchester United’s transfer policy.
These days, it is not the manager but a new-look recruitment department led by Jason Wilcox responsible for the incomings and outgoings at Old Trafford.
And, after signing two of Tuchel’s former Bayern Munich defenders in Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, Man United appear to be laying the foundations for more discussions with super-agent Zahavi heading into 2025.
Manchester United held Jonathan Tah talks as agent opens door to transfer
TBR reports that United are one of a number of Premier League clubs who have already opened talks about potentially bringing Jonathan Tah to England in the New Year.
Tah will become a free-agent in less than 12 months’ time. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also held early discussions, though the towering 28-year-old could be the latest piece in a Manchester United defensive jigsaw taking shape following a summer of considerable change.
Despite bringing in De Ligt and Leny Yoro, United still need further reinforcements at the back. Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are due to depart, while a decision is also needed regarding Harry Maguire’s own future.
UnitedinFocus understands that Maguire expects to stay at Old Trafford. But until any contract extension is rubber-stamped, things will remain a little up in the air.
At least with Jonathan Tah, Bayer Leverkusen know where they stand. After a summer move to Bayern Munich failed to come to fruition – the German champions reportedly wanted £25 million, per Kicker – Zahavi insists that his client is certain to leave the Bay Arena in the coming months.
Whether as a free agent, or on a cut-price fee in January, only time will tell.
“We tried to transfer Tah last summer. Unfortunately, Leverkusen asked for too much money,” Zahavi tells Welt am Sonntag. “The idea was to go to Bayern. The club really wanted to get him.
“We would have liked to bring Leverkusen a transfer fee.
“Now, the situation is very simple,” the agent adds. “Jonathan will go to a big club next summer. And Bayern still have a very good chance of getting him.”
Bayern Munich remain most likely to sign Bayer Leverkusen ace
After discussions between Man United and Tuchel ground to a halt – Ineos opting to keep faith with Erik ten Hag before luring Ruben Amorim away from Sporting a few months later – the Red Devils may be hard pushed convincing Tah to spend the peak years of his career at Old Trafford.
As Zahavi himself explains, Bayern Munich was his client’s preferred destination before the September deadline passed.
And with Bayern yet to replace De Ligt following his eventual £34 million switch to Manchester, the door remains ajar for those negotiations to be picked up again.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot labelled Tah a ‘real good defender’ and potentially the best in the whole of the Bundesliga last week ahead of that Champions League trip to Anfield.
The 6ft 5ins giant started his career with Hamburg and has now spent nearly a decade in Leverkusen.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
