Manchester United are reportedly in the running to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah next summer as they continue their search for a new defender.
Raphael Varane’s future looks uncertain and Lisandro Martinez is out until Christmas meaning a new centre-back will be targeted by the Red Devils either in January or next summer.
The name that has been linked with a move to Old Trafford the most is OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo but another potential signing has cropped up.
The Sun has stated that Manchester United are interested in a deal to sign Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen, and will face competition from other sides.
Tah interest
United are one of a number of clubs who are keen on the 27-year-old, who has been superb for Xabi Alonso’s side this season.
The defender would be available for just £20 million according to the report and a January move could well be in the offing but it remains to be seen if United would be at the front of the queue for the German.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United and David Moyes’ West Ham United are two other Premier League sides who are reportedly interested in the defender.
The 6ft 5in centre-back, despite his superb performances this season, has just over 18 months left on his contract and the German side could feel pressure to cash in if clubs make big offers in January.
Tah is highly rated
The defender joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hamburger SV back in 2015 and has been at the Bundesliga outfit ever since.
His future at the club did look bleak last summer, however, but it seems Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes is a big fan of the German.
“He was rightly chosen for this team and played a very good second half of the season,” Rolfes said speaking to Kicker at the end of last season.
“Even in games where the team wasn’t so good, he played well. Jona played an important role in the difficult games.”
Now, the defender has been one of the bright sparks for the Bundesliga side who are in the mix for the German title.
Tah could be a decent United option
It could be argued that, apart from Martinez, every centre-back United have could well be at risk of moving on next summer.
Obviously, not all of the defenders Erik Ten Hag has will move on in the summer window but a few of them may well be wondering where their future lies.
Tah might not be a first-choice option were he to join United but, if you are to compete for trophies, you need three top-quality defenders for depth.
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