Barcelona’s interest in Jonathan Tah—the 29-year-old Bayer Leverkusen center-back set to become a free agent this summer—has hit a financial wall.
What Happened?
Earlier this week, club president Joan Laporta, sporting director Deco, and superagent Pini Zahavi (who represents both Tah and Hansi Flick) met in Barcelona to discuss multiple matters. Chief among them was Flick’s contract extension, but Tah’s potential transfer also came up.
Despite previously laying the groundwork for a deal, Barça have now communicated a pause on the move due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions.
Why the Hold-Up?
• Barça admire Tah’s profile, especially Flick, who sees him as a key defensive reinforcement.
• However, the club’s current wage structure and limited salary space mean they can’t register him yet.
• Deco and Laporta emphasized that budget flexibility and priority reinforcements must come first.
Tah’s Stance
Tah is keen on joining Barça, but he wants clarity soon. He’s unwilling to wait through another summer filled with registration drama, like what happened with Dani Olmo last year.
• He’s given the club until May to make a decision.
• If uncertainty remains, he might accept one of several offers from Premier League clubs already circling.
What’s Next?
Barcelona have reassured Tah that they want him and would give him a prominent role in the team, but the situation now depends entirely on whether FFP conditions improve and budget priorities shift before the summer.
Bottom line: Barça want Tah. Tah wants Barça. But money talks—and for now, it’s telling everyone to wait.
