Liverpool given green light to sign 29-year-old on free transfer as summer exit decision confirmed

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah has confirmed his decision over his future amid speculation that Liverpool are pushing to sign him on a free transfer this summer.

The 29-year-old entered the last six months of his contract with the Bundesliga champions in January, leaving him free to hold talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.

Barcelona appeared to be at the head of the queue for Tah at one stage, but it has since been reported that the Catalan giants have been forced to cool their interest in the experienced defender.

Even though Tah would be available as a free agent, Barcelona's financial issues have apparently led to them abandoning their pursuit, potentially allowing two other clubs to swoop in.

Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been tipped to battle for Tah's services this summer, and the defender has now confirmed that he will be on the market as a free agent at the end of the season.

Tah confirms Leverkusen exit amid Liverpool, Tottenham talk

© Imago

Speaking to Kicker, Tah said: "Everything was said from the start. There was a point in time when I made the decision not to extend my contract and not to stay here. It remains that way now."

Tah will leave Xabi Alonso's side following 10 years of service, having joined as a teenager in 2015 for a mere £8.1m from Hamburg, and he is now just two appearances away from reaching 400 for the club.

The 29-year-old sits sixth on Leverkusen's all-time appearance list, and he has also contributed 17 goals and 13 assists for the club, including three efforts and one helper from 45 matches in the 2024-25 campaign.

Also an integral cog in last season's title-winning machine, Tah started 30 Bundesliga matches for Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season as they became the first team ever to win the German top-flight title without suffering a single defeat.

Assessing Tah's transfer options as summer switch confirmed

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An Invincible defender with international pedigree and a strong goal threat, Tah will be a wanted man in the summer window, where Liverpool should have been in the mix had Virgil van Dijk chosen not to extend his contract.

The Reds' need for defensive reinforcements is not so great thanks to the Dutchman's recent two-year extension, and talks should soon begin with Ibrahima Konate, whose terms are due to expire in 2026.

On the other hand, Spurs may be fearing for their chances of keeping Cristian Romero if they fail to win the Europa League, as Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are said to be keeping an eye on him.

Tah could be an ideal fit alongside Micky van de Ven in defence if Romero leaves, and Tottenham are also set to wave goodbye to the long-serving Ben Davies when his contract runs out in the summer.

However, while Real Madrid have not been reliably linked with Tah, Los Blancos will be pursuing a new centre-back this summer, so they could do worse than throw their own hat into the ring.

Written by
Ben Knapton