Real Madrid set to enter bidding war with Barcelona for Bundesliga sensation | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s need for defensive reinforcements has intensified following Dani Carvajal’s ACL injury, which has left the club with limited depth in their backline.

While Los Blancos have the option to strengthen their defence in the upcoming January window, they remain reluctant to spend mid-season.

Instead, their focus has shifted towards securing a key addition in the summer of 2025, with Jonathan Tah emerging as one of the prime targets.

Competition from Barcelona

However, as reported by Diario SPORT, complicating matters is the growing competition from Barcelona.

The Catalan club, who showed strong interest in Tah last summer, remain keen on signing him for free. Financial constraints prevented Barça from finalizing the deal in 2024, but their interest persists.

Real Madrid are eyeing a summer swoop for Jonathan Tah (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Not to mention, Tah’s agent, Pini Zahavi, maintains excellent relations with Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco.

With just a few months before Tah can sign a pre-contract, it appears the race is heating up between Spain’s two biggest clubs.

Why Tah over others?

Madrid are also exploring other defensive options. The club have been linked with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero and Arsenal’s William Saliba.

However, Tah’s free transfer status makes him a standout option, particularly as Madrid aim to manage their financial resources carefully.

Tah’s physical prowess and experience in top-tier European football have put him on the radar of several elite clubs, including Real Madrid.

His contract situation presents a golden opportunity, allowing the club to bolster their defensive unit without having to pay a transfer fee.

However, Real Madrid will need to fend off Barcelona’s advances if they are to secure Tah’s signature and strengthen their defence ahead of the 2025/26 season.