Bayern Munich and Barcelona in hot pursuit of Jonathan Tah

Despite attracting interest from Italian heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan, Tah has set his sights on a move to a bigger club, with Bayern and Barcelona leading the chase.

Last summer, Bayern came close to securing Tah, having agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old centre-back. However, negotiations collapsed over Leverkusen's high asking price, preventing the Bundesliga giants from completing the deal.

With Tah's contract set to expire in 2025, Leverkusen might have fewer options to negotiate a substantial fee next summer, making the upcoming transfer windows crucial.

Pini Zahavi, Tah's agent, confirmed the player's ambitions for a top-level move. "We tried to transfer Tah last summer. Unfortunately, Leverkusen asked for too much money," Zahavi shared with Welt am Sonntag.

"The idea was to go to Bayern, the club really wanted to get him. Now, the situation is very simple: Jonathan will go to a big club next summer. And Bayern still have a very good chance of getting him."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid could also emerge as a contender if they seek defensive reinforcements during the January window.

Injuries to key defenders have left Madrid's backline vulnerable, and Tah's solid experience in the Bundesliga could be a solution. However, for now, a move to Serie A looks unlikely, with Tah's camp rejecting recent inquiries from Juventus and Inter.

In a separate transfer development, Bayer Leverkusen's midfielder Aleix Garcia, a recent signing from Girona, has voiced frustration over his limited playing time since joining.

Garci­a, who made 15 appearances but started just eight times, has admitted it's been a difficult adjustment. "Of course it's not enough for me," Garcia told Bild. "I come from Girona, where I played every game. Here, I sometimes only get one game after several on the bench."

The Spaniard faces fierce competition in Leverkusen's midfield from the likes of Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios, and Robert Andrich. Still, García remains determined to prove himself to head coach Xabi Alonso.

"I think (Alonso) has more confidence in the players from last season, and I accept that. I have to work and adapt. I think I'm doing a good job, but of course, I have to keep going," he added.

As the transfer market approaches, both Tah and Garcia's situations add layers of intrigue, with big clubs ready to swoop if opportunities arise. 

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