West Ham United are interested in 27-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah.
According to the German publication Kicker, Premier League side West Ham United are keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old is a veteran of the Bundesliga and has much experience in the top flight. Still in his prime, he will future-proof the Hammers backline for at least the next few years.
Solid in the air and a good reader of the game, Tah has what it takes to compete in the Premier League. His tackling is still suspect, but the willingness not to jump into making one unless needed sees him weather through. With Declan Rice not at the club anymore, this restraint should help David Moyes put together a rigid back four.
Leverkusen expected Tah to leave in the summer, but as of yet, he is still at the club. The German international’s €18 million release clause has now expired. And given his importance to the club, he could set potential suitors back more. Meanwhile, a summer move sees unlikely.
Given that Edmond Tapsoba is also being linked with a move away from the BayArena, it remains to be seen if they are willing to lose Tah. Losing two key players with around a month to go could seriously hamper their plans and also put more pressure on the recruitment team.
The 27-year-old dreams of playing in the Premier League, and the Hammers could give him that opportunity. David Moyes’s side have European football to offer and are flush from selling skipper Declan Rice to Arsenal in a club-record deal.
Nauef Aguerd is the standout choice at centre-back for West Ham, while Thilo Kehrer is also a promising addition. Kurt Zouma is far from consistent, while Angelo Ogbonna’s best days are far behind him. With Rice no more available to polish up the space ahead of the backline, the Irons will need to make significant reinforcements.
Tah can slot in alongside Tah and form the crux of a new-look West Ham side that will need leadership. The German international has proven himself to be a leader at the back and will add organisation to the defensive line.
For now, it remains to be seen if the Hammers will make a concrete move to land the 27-year-old. However, having not made their move before his release clause expired, West Ham will now negotiate with Leverkusen from a position of weakness.
