Newcastle United and West Ham United could plot a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah to bolster their backline.
Jonathan Tah emerges as a big target for both Newcastle United and West Ham United ahead of next month’s transfer window. The Bayer Leverkusen star has been in supreme form in the Bundesliga this season but remains uninterested in extending his stay with the club.
Newcastle United joined the race for Jonathan Tah.
Jonathan Tah has found himself in a tricky situation ahead of the January window, as he has an extensive career decision in front. The 27-year-old Bundesliga defender has been a superb performer for Xabi Alonso as Bayer Leverkusen ended 2023 on top of the Bundesliga standings.
The interest from Premier League sides has affected Tah’s thinking about the future. He has 18 months left on his deal and will have an €18 million clause in the summer. Ideally, clubs would want to negotiate a similar price for him now rather than wait until the summer, as Leverkusen could accept.
Newcastle United are interested as per Football Transfers and view the 27-year-old Bundesliga defender as a solid alternative to some of the other more expensive centre-backs in the market. The magpies have struggled at the back with a raft of injuries and loss in the form of some critical stars.
The Magpies may not want to pay too much, but in the context of Lverkusen’s season, they may depend significantly more on Tah than the summer clause worth €18 million. While on paper, this looks like a straightforward deal to negotiate, it’s far from that and will take a concerted effort from interested clubs to sign the 27-year-old Bundesliga defender.
Jonathan Tah to replace Nayef Aguerd at West Ham?
For the past many weeks, rumours have been circulating about Nayef Aguerd wanting to leave the club, potentially over a return to France. West Ham have already asked for an essential fee in the market, as they may not stand in the Moroccan’s way if he wishes to leave.
Dan-Axel Zagadou remains a target for David Moyes to replace Aguerd, but now they are also considering Tah as an alternative. The Hammers will undoubtedly enter the race, as per Football Insider, if they can sell the Moroccan and find a suitable agreement for the Leverkusen star.
Moyes might view Tah as a more natural replacement for Aguerd, although there’s plenty of competition from other English clubs for the 27-year-old Bundesliga defender. Hence, while the Hammers can put in an ambitious approach, Tah may join a bigger English club if he has offers on the table.
“ Tah may join a bigger English club if he has offers on the table.”
Who might they be, then? By ‘bigger’, what do you mean?
More valuable? Bigger attendances and fan base? Current holders of a European trophy? Still in the Europa League and seeded? Higher than West Ham in the EPL? In a more desirable place than London?
Massive.