Manchester United are reportedly battling with Barcelona to recruit Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old’s agent, Pini Zahavi, stated in a recent interview that he will ‘join a big club’ at the conclusion of the season, implying that he has already decided not to extend his contract with Leverkusen.

Tah was a key player in Leverkusen’s 2023/24 Bundesliga-winning season, and several clubs have expressed an interest in signing him.

He will be able to officially begin pre-contract discussions with non-German clubs on January 1st. According to Fichajes, Manchester United and Barcelona have already’made contact’ with Tah’s entourage to assess his interest in a transfer.

According to reports, the two clubs see Tah as a’solution to their respective defense problems.’ The Red Devils want to’reinforce a backline that has been, at times, fragile.’

With several defenders’ futures uncertain, Tah presents himself as a solid option to provide consistency and quality in the heart of defense.

Barcelona is looking to hire a “experienced center-back who can compete at the highest level and provide leadership.” Despite their financial difficulties, signing Tah on a free transfer would be a terrific bit of business for them.

Manchester United signed two new centre-backs this summer in Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, but Sporting director Dan Ashworth is reportedly seeking for more in that position.

That is owing, in part, to the fact that Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans will all be out of contract next summer, with no sign that any of them would be offered extensions.