Report: Man Utd pounce on Jonathan Tah as Barcelona deal falters

The Red Devils have contacted Tah's representatives, with initial talks already underway.

Tah, a standout centre-back in the Bundesliga, confirmed he would leave Leverkusen as a free agent this summer after their 1-1 draw with FC St Pauli on April 20. "I made the decision not to extend my contract," Tah said, per Kicker.

His departure has sparked a race among Europe's elite, with United, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid all in contention.

Barcelona appeared to have secured Tah's signature, with reports of a verbal agreement in place for weeks. However, the Catalan giants' ongoing financial struggles have stalled the deal, raising doubts about their ability to register new players. "Barcelona still have problems with registering new players," Bundesliga expert Christian Falk noted. This has opened the door for rivals, and United are acting swiftly.

The Red Devils' interest comes at a pivotal moment. On Thursday, they delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final first leg, putting them on course for a potential final against Tottenham Hotspur. A Europa League title would secure Champions League qualification, boosting United's appeal in the transfer market.

Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, United have faced challenges adapting to his 3-4-3 system, with their defence lacking cohesion. With Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof's contracts expiring, a new centre-back is a priority. Tah, at 29, offers experience and reliability, having been a cornerstone of Leverkusen's Bundesliga and German Cup double last season under Xabi Alonso.

United's transfer strategy this summer may hinge on free agents due to budget constraints after heavy spending in recent years. Tah represents a cost-effective solution, but they face stiff competition. Bayern Munich, keen to bolster their defence, have rekindled their interest after failing to sign Tah last summer.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, could leverage Alonso's potential arrival as their next manager, given his strong relationship with Tah.

Sky Germany reported that United "sense an opportunity" and have held "an initial exchange of views" with Tah's management. Despite Barcelona's lead, Tah has not signed with any club and remains open to options. "To be honest, I don't have a timeframe," he said after Leverkusen's draw with St Pauli.

For United, landing Tah would be a statement of intent as they aim to rebuild under Amorim. However, with Bayern and Real Madrid circling, the Red Devils must act decisively to secure the German defender's signature.