Bayern Munich secures the signing of international defender, Jonathan Tah.
Bayern Munich Agree Term with Tah as Free Agent; Club World Cup Release Negotiations Ongoing
Munich - Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah to join the club as a free agent on June 30, 2025, when his current contract expires[3][2]. However, Bayern are eager for Tah to be available for the upcoming Club World Cup in June, necessitating his early release from Leverkusen before the official end of his contract[3][2].
Tah is set to join Bayern on a four-year deal, with the German international expressing excitement about the move. "I am extremely happy to finally wear this jersey in a game," said Tah[1]. However, complications arise as Leverkusen have demanded a €5 million transfer fee for Tah's early release, a fee that Bayern consider excessive, especially considering Tah would join the club for free within weeks[2].
Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, with Bayern unwilling to pay the full requested fee[2]. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a key board member at Bayern, has indicated that the club is not planning to make further defensive signings specifically for the Club World Cup, suggesting a willingness to proceed with a limited squad if Tah is not released early[2].
Sporting director Max Eberl and sports director Christoph Freund have praised Tah's imminent arrival, lauding the 29-year-old's leadership qualities and poise[1]. Tah himself expressed his eagerness to contribute to Bayern's title aspirations, hoping to make his debut with the club in the Club World Cup[1].
Meanwhile, Tah has other immediate commitments. He will join the German national team for the Final Four of the Nations League, with preparations set to begin on Friday in Herzogenaurach[1]. Tah's first home game for Bayern will be against Portugal in the semi-final of the tournament—however, this match will still take place in his current Germany jersey, pending the resolution of the transfer negotiations with Leverkusen[1].
[1]: dpa, "Jonathan Tah auf Internal Party mit Sternstundenstulous für FC Bayern: "Ich schaue mich auf den Verein mit Verlangen aus," 29.05.2023, https://www.br.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/jonathan-tah-will-kommen-bayern-entwurf-zu-trennung-von-bayer-leverkusen-100.html[2]: Kicker Online, "Intensiver Austausch zwischen Bayern und Bayer 04: Jonathan Tah noch in der Saison zu verpflichten?," 30.05.2023, https://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bayernmuenchen/transfers-intensiver-austausch-zwischen-bayern-und-bayer-04-jonathan-tah-noch-in-der-saison-zu-verpflichten-a-618393/[3]: Sport1, "Der Plan von Jonathan Tah: Bayern-Transfers für ICW noch nicht zu erwarten - Rummenigge," 30.05.2023, https://www.sport1.de/bundesliga/aaktuell/transfermitteilungen/bayern-muenchen-jonathan-tah-transfer-baukein-rummenigge-artikel-24003116/
Tah, excited about his imminent move to Bayern Munich, hopes to make his debut with the club in the upcoming Club World Cup, despite complications in the negotiations for his early release from Bayer Leverkusen due to Leverkusen's demand for a €5 million transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich is participating in the European football leagues, and their Premier League aspirations may include Tah if the transfer negotiations are successfully resolved before the Club World Cup.
