Bayern Munich still has a shot at signing German star, claims Pini Zahavi

Bayern Munich made significant changes in their defensive department of the squad during the summer transfer window. The Bavarian club parted ways with Matthijs de Ligt as the Dutch international joined Manchester United. They replaced De Ligt with Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito. However, the Japanese defender is yet to play for Bayern this season due to a foot injury.

The Bavarian club also wanted to sign Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen to add more quality and experience to their defense. The German international had agreed personal terms with Bayern, but an agreement over a transfer fee was not reached with Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern had a couple of bids rejected for Tah. Bayer Leverkusen had set a deadline for Tah’s transfer, but Die Roten allowed it to pass and made another move at the end of the window. However, Leverkusen stood firm, and Tah stayed with the Bundesliga champions for one more season.

Jonathan Tah will leave Bayer Leverkusen next summer on a free transfer. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are showing concrete interest in the German defender. The Spanish giants have reportedly taken the lead over Bayern to sign Tah. However, Pini Zahavi told Bild that Bayern remain in contention to sign Tah.

"We tried to transfer Tah last summer. Unfortunately, Leverkusen asked for too much money. The idea was to go to Bayern, the club really wanted to get him. We would have liked to bring Leverkusen a transfer fee. 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"

- Pini Zahavi, Jonathan Tah's agent

Bayern will need two center-backs next summer

Despite Tah turning 29 later this season, he will be a good acquisition for Bayern. Getting a center-back of his caliber on a free transfer will strengthen the squad. However, they will face a lot of competition for his signing.

Die Roten will need two center-backs next summer since Eric Dier will likely leave Munich by the end of the season. Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae have steadily improved this season, but Bayern will need reinforcements to intensify the competition for places in the heart of the defense.

Bayern tried to sign Ronald Araujo from FC Barcelona in January. The Uruguayan defender didn’t want to leave the Spanish club midway through the season. When a move for Araujo was looking unlikely, they tried to sign Radu Dragusin, but he opted for a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern were expected to go back for Araujo in the summer, but injury concerns and other priorities in the market ensured he stayed in Spain.

Apart from Araujo, Bayern were also linked with Benfica’s Antonio Silva. The Portuguese defender is likely to be on the transfer market in the summer. Along with strengthening the attack next summer, adding a couple of center-backs should be Die Roten’s priority in the transfer market.