Jonathan Tah, in a match with Bayer Leverkusen

BARÇA HAS NOT YET CLOSED THE SIGNING OF TAH

The renewal of Ronald Araujo: Is it an obstacle for the signing of Jonathan Tah?

Published:19/01/2025 - 04:09h

Updated:19/01/2025 - 08:06h

The FC Barcelona board is well on track for the signing of Jonathan Tah next summer. However, Ronald Araujo's continuity may close the doors for the German center-back.

Calendar of FC Barcelona

Jonathan Tah is waiting for a formal offer from FC Barcelona next summer. The German center-back is willing to wait for a Blaugrana proposal to sign as a free agent in July, but the Blaugrana board may no longer be so clear about his arrival, even though he is an experienced player with the 'ok' from the Blaugrana coaching staff, who would also arrive at 'zero cost' and with a salary that would not pose a problem for the culé 'Fair Play'.

However, one factor could definitively halt the arrival of the Bayer Leverkusen defender next summer. Tah hopes to join Barça with the aim of earning a starting position, something that will be very complicated if Ronald Araujo ultimately decides to stay with the Blaugrana team. The 'charrúa' backed out of his possible signing for Juventus after the injury of Iñigo Martínez, a factor that has returned him to the XI alongside Pau Cubarsí.

In this sense, the '4' culé seems inclined to accept signing a new contract with Barça, knowing he is a leader and reference of a squad that also includes Andreas Christensen and Eric García as alternatives for the center of defense. The Catalan is set to return to Girona this month, while the Dane also has a couple of interesting proposals to return to England.

Should Barça sign Jonathan Tah next summer?

The departure of both defenders would leave a vacancy available to incorporate Tah, assuming that Iñigo, whose contract ends next June 30, will renew for at least one more year before the end of the 2024-25 season. In principle, signing the German center-back seems like a sensible operation, in terms of price and quality, but both the club and the player himself are beginning to doubt the convenience of his incorporation into a squad that, for now, has managed the egos and internal competition for each position without problems.

Jonathan has been indisputable for a decade in Leverkusen, where last season he was key for Xabi Alonso's team on their way to obtaining the double (league and cup). In addition to the option to renew with the Bayer team, the 28-year-old defender (turning 29 in February) also has a very interesting offer from Bayern Munich, among other top clubs in Europe. If Barça does not guarantee him a leading role for the 25-26 season, it is likely that the Hamburg native will change his mind regarding a decision that seemed settled a couple of weeks ago.