Bayern Munich launch surprise move to Barcelona in high-stakes pursuit of elite defensive target as summer transfer battle heats up
As the summer transfer window looms, Barcelona has earmarked defensive reinforcements as a primary focus.
Catalan giants are looking to keep their existing stalwarts on the backline, while adding new talent, making it a trickier balancing act with tight financial pressures.
The 28-year-old German international could epitomize the profile and experience Barcelona requires – in his prime, an experienced leader.
However, Financial Fair Play has kept them from executing anything substantial.
The player is Jonathan Tah, who now finds himself amid a transfer tug of war.
According to reports from CFBayernInsider, despite a strong push from Barcelona sporting director Deco to acquire the defender, Bayern Munich has now entered the fray, after Eric Dier inexplicably left for Monaco.
Bayern value Jonathan Tah as an ideal next option with Bundesliga experience, who has no transfer fee.
To make matters worse, Bayern are also interested in Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo, which could potentially create a domino effect for the defenders available on the market.
The situation with the Uruguayan is still flexible, while his temporary €65 million release clause will be available to activate in July.
For Barcelona, it would be a major setback to lose Tah to their European rivals, which Hansi Flick would have considered part of his rebuild.
Flick reportedly sees his fellow countryman as the reincarnation of himself to partner with Araujo – or as an alternative option if the Uruguayan departed.
As the transfer window approaches, Barcelona is trying to refresh their defense.
Whether they are able to sell players to generate money will dictate if they can win the battle for Tah and reject Bayern’s advances for Araujo: two interconnected sagas that could shape the summer business for Barcelona.
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