Jonathan Tah coy on future amidst interest from Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich will strengthen the defense in the summer. They had limited options in the heart of defense when Benjamin Pavard was allowed to leave without signing a replacement. Bayern tried to sign a center-back in January, but top targets were unavailable for transfer. They settled for Eric Dier as a stop-gap option.

Dier has been solid for Bayern during the second half of the season. He was Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice center-back during the business end of the season. Dier ended up activating a clause in his contract that will see him stay at Bayern until the end of next season.

Despite Dier’s solid performances, Die Roten will dip into the transfer market for a central defender. They have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah as the top target to strengthen defense. Tah has 12 months left on his contract at Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen remain hopeful about extending Tah’s contract. They want to keep the defender after his stellar performances in the domestic double-winning campaign. While talking to the media on Thursday at Germany’s training camp (via Bild), Tah remained coy on his future amidst concrete interest from Bayern.

"There has been speculation in the past few weeks and months. I can understand that due to my contract situation. But now I've just joined the national team and my full focus is on what's happening here, which is special. I'm trying to ignore everything else as much as I can. But of course, I can understand the question and the speculation."

- Jonathan Tah

With Tah being an important member of the German national team, a transfer away from Bayer Leverkusen will not be finalized before the end of the European Championship. Bayer Leverkusen will have to cash in this summer if he decides against renewing his contract.

Apart from Tah, Bayern have been exploring a move for FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan defender was Die Roten’s top target in January, but Barcelona were not ready to entertain offers for him midway through the season. The Spanish club has financial problems to solve in the summer, which may encourage Bayern to bid for Araujo.

From the existing options in central defense, Matthijs de Ligt and Dier are staying in Munich next season. De Ligt bounced back from a difficult Hinrunde to play regularly under Tuchel during the second half of the campaign. Kim Min-jae wants to stay in Munich despite a difficult Ruckrunde. The South Korean defender has been subject to interest from Napoli and Inter Milan.

Dayot Upamecano is facing an uncertain future at Bayern. The French defender was effectively fourth choice center-back for Die Roten during the business end of the season. He will hold talks with club chiefs in the summer to get clarity regarding his role in the squad. As things stand, Upamecano is the most likely center-back to leave Munich and make space for the recruits