It is well known that FC Bayern Munich wants to strengthen its defense in the winter transfer window. The record champions are said to have kept an eye on Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah. However, managing director Simon Rolfes has ruled out a change in the defense chief.
One will be missing from Leverkusen during the Africa Cup, the other is on FC Bayern’s list: Edmond Tapsoba (left) and Jonathan Tah (right). IMAGO/Team 2
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 defensive leader and central defender at international level, but can also defend on the right in a back four if necessary.
The 27-year-old professional from Bayer 04 Leverkusen is therefore a very conceivable candidate for Bayern Munich. The record champions would like to strengthen their defense in the winter. And in addition to a real six-man, a defender should also be hired who can act not only inside but also outside in Thomas Tuchel’s back four.
Now, according to “Bild”, the Munich team should deal with Tah about a winter change. It is said that the defensive giant is a type of player that Tuchel likes. So is FC Bayern Munich poaching a direct competitor according to the well-known pattern and trying to strengthen itself with Tah and at the same time weaken the league leaders from Leverkusen?
Rolfes excludes sales in winter
This will be a hopeless endeavor, and not just in the case of Jonathan Tah, at least this winter. Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes closes the Christmas door for a winter change. “Everyone stays. We won’t give up any players in the winter,” explains the 42-year-old to kicker general. A statement that applies not only to, but also to Tah.
His exit clause, which is around 18 million euros, is only valid for the summer. It cannot be ruled out that the Munich team will make such an unrealistic offer for Tah to the factory club that he cannot say no.
Especially since there should also be reinforcements for the defensive midfield. And Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is now said to be too expensive for Bayern, for whom the Munich team 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 couldn’t find a replacement in time.
Tapsoba in the 27-man squad – Kossounou is still waiting
In addition, from Leverkusen’s point of view, it would be sporting suicide to let the defense chief, who is in top form, go now if they want to preserve the chance of winning three titles. Firstly, because Tah is an absolute top performer.
Secondly, because from January onwards, Bayer will probably have to do without the other two regulars in the three-man defense chain due to the Africa Cup of Nations (13.1. to 11.2.), who are having a similarly strong season: Edmond Tapsoba is in the already announced 27-man squad for Burkina Fasos, Odilon Kossounou’s final nomination for Ivory Coast is considered likely.
Leverkusen doesn’t want to outdo Bayern’s mistakes
In addition, Leverkusen, who have their first realistic chance of winning the German championship since 2002 this year, will not strengthen their biggest rival by selling Tah. And thus surpass the mistake that the Munich team made in the summer when they loaned defender Josip Stanisic to Leverkusen, of all places. Only to realize shortly afterwards that there is a bottleneck in the defensive area.
Stanisic will help Bayer 04 to close the short-term gap in defense from January – for which the Munich team, at the same time, is relying on, among others, central defender Min-Jae Kim (plays for South Korea in the Asian Championship) and the Moroccan right-back, who is currently injured anyway Having to do without Noussair Mazraoui, we are now looking for a versatile central defender of stature.
2023-12-23 11:05:05
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