Bayern Munich refuse to let Jonathan Tah join Barcelona in January

Bayern Munich have rejected the prospect of letting defender Jonathan Tah leave in the upcoming winter transfer window, either on a permanent deal or on loan, according to the report. Barcelona have made inquiries about signing the player, whom the Catalan club are looking to recruit to strengthen their central defence.

Sport reported that Barcelona sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick enlisted agent Pini Zahavi to find out Tah’s situation. Zahavi held a meeting in late October with Bayern sporting director Max Eberl, coinciding with the German side’s match against Arsenal in the Champions League, to discuss the defender’s situation and the possibility of his leaving.

The report says Tah shares the central-defence role at Bayern with Kim Min-jae, behind Dayot Upamecano, and that being left on the bench for close to half of the team’s matches prompted Barcelona to explore signing him in January. But Bayern consider him important to coach Vincent Kompany’s plans and also do not appear ready to let him leave for another club.

Despite financial constraints and a dwindling range of options, Barcelona continue to look for a ready-made centre-back who can adapt quickly, preferring experience over signing a young defender. The club hope to bring in defensive reinforcements in January, alongside young players in the back line such as Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín.