Credit: @bayer04_en / X

Bayer Leverkusen Star Confirms Departure Amid Interest From Barcelona

The Catalan club have been monitoring the Leverkusen defender closely, with their interest tracing back to last summer.

Credit: @bayer04_en / X

Bayer Leverkusen have been one of the standout sides in German football for the past few years. Under manager Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen have experienced a remarkable transformation. Leverkusen made history last season by clinching the Bundesliga title with a record 90 points as they went the whole season unbeaten.

This season, they have continued to impress and are currently in second place in the table with four games to go. At the heart of Leverkusen’s resurgence has been the consistent presence of centre-back Jonathan Tah, who has been vital to the club’s success. However, in a big blow for Die Werkself, Tah has officially confirmed that he will part ways with Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024-25 season.

🚨 Jonathan Tah announces he’s set to leave Bayer Leverkusen as free agent in the summer.

“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”, told Kicker. pic.twitter.com/Lu16LbH9x7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 21, 2025

The 28-year-old has been a linchpin in Leverkusen’s defense for nearly a decade. Tah revealed that he has been transparent with the club regarding his desire to pursue a new challenge.

“I’ve been completely transparent with the club,” Tah said. “There’s no set timeline, but they’ve known my intentions from the start.”

Tah added, “I decided not to renew my contract or stay here, and that hasn’t changed.”

Barcelona Emerge As Frontrunners To Sign Tah

Tah will be available on a free transfer this summer and Barcelona have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to land the experienced centre-back. The Catalan club have been monitoring Tah closely, with their interest tracing back to last summer. Sources close to the situation revealed that Barca have asked Tah’s agent, Pini Zahavi, to keep them in the loop on any developments. Since January 1, Jonathan Tah has been free to negotiate with clubs outside Germany.

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“They’ve made their interest clear,” a source close to the negotiations said. “Barcelona want to ensure Tah doesn’t slip through their fingers.”

The Spanish giants see Tah as a cost-effective solution to strenghten their defense, given his experience and calmness in possession. In addition to Barcelona, both Manchester United and Bayern Munich have reportedly expressed strong interest in securing his services once his contract with Bayer Leverkusen comes to an end.

Barcelona

Bayer Leverkusen

Jonathan Tah

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.