It is well known that FC Bayern Munich is looking to strengthen its defense in the winter transfer window. The record champions are said to have their eye on Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah. However, managing director Simon Rolfes has ruled out a move for the defensive boss
He fits the profile. With his recent appearances in the German national team jersey, Jonathan Tah has recently proven that he can not only fill the role of central defender and central defender at international level, but can also defend on the right in a back four if required.
The 27-year-old professional from Bayer 04 Leverkusen is therefore a very conceivable candidate for Bayern Munich. After all, the record champions are looking to strengthen their defense this winter. And in addition to a real six-man, they also want to sign a defender who can not only play on the inside, but also on the outside of Thomas Tuchel’s back four.
According to “Bild”, Munich are now reportedly discussing a winter transfer with Tah. The defender is a type of player that Tuchel likes, they say. So is FC Bayern Munich following the familiar pattern of poaching from a direct competitor and trying to strengthen itself with Tah and at the same time weaken the league leaders from Leverkusen?
Rolfes rules out sales in winter
Not only in the case of Jonathan Tah will this be a hopeless endeavor, at least this winter. Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes is closing the Christmas door on a winter transfer. “Everyone is staying. We won’t be letting any players go in the winter,” A statement that applies not only to, but also to Tah.
His release clause, which is worth around 18 million euros, is only valid for the summer. It can be ruled out that Munich will make such an unrealistic offer for Tah that he will be unable to say no.
Especially as they are also looking to strengthen their defensive midfield. And Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is now said to be too expensive for Bayern, for whom Munich had already negotiated a transfer fee of around 60 million euros with the Cottagers in the summer before the transfer fell through because the English club were unable to find a replacement in time
Tapsoba in the 27-man squad – Kossounou is still waiting
Furthermore, from Leverkusen’s point of view, it would be sporting suicide to let the defender, who is in top form, leave now if they want to keep their chance of winning three titles. Firstly, because Tah is an absolute top performer.
Secondly, because Bayer will probably have to do without the other two regulars in the back three from January onwards due to the Africa Cup (13.1. to 11.2.), who are having a similarly strong season: Edmond Tapsoba is in Burkina Faso’s already announced 27-man squad, Odilon Kossounou’s final nomination for Côte d’Ivoire is considered likely.
Leverkusen don’t want to outdo Bayern’s mistakes
In addition, Leverkusen, who have their first realistic chance of winning the German championship this year since 2002, will not strengthen their biggest rivals by selling Tah. And in doing so, they will surpass the mistake Munich made in the summer when they loaned defender Josip Stanisic to Leverkusen of all clubs. Only to realize shortly afterwards that there was a bottleneck in defence
Stanisic will help Bayer 04 close the temporary gap in defense from January onwards – for which the Munich club, who are currently without central defender Min-Jae Kim (playing for South Korea at the Asian Championship) and Moroccan right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who is injured anyway, are now looking for a versatile central defender of calibre.
