According to Football Insider, Newcastle United have entered the race for Jonathan Tah, who has a host of high-profile suitors due to his availability on a free transfer. Eddie Howe seeks a new centre-back with enough experience as the Magpies could battle the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona for the 29-year-old Bundesliga star.
Newcastle United are expected to sign a top centre-back on priority in the summer following their failure to do so last time out. Back then, the Magpies saw at least four bids rejected for Marc Guehi, with Crystal Palace holding their ground.
As Newcastle United anticipates Champions League football next season, a new centre-back has become imperative to keep the team competitive across all fronts. Eddie Howe is still interested in Guehi, while they have suffered disappointment in their chase of Nico Schlotterbeck who is expected to sign a new deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle United have now shifted their attention towards soon-to-be-free agent Jonathan Tah, who is coming to the end of his Bayer Leverkusen career. The 29-year-old Bundesliga star has been a top performer and brings loads of experience, as well as costing nothing compared to some of the other targets.
The big hiccup for Newcastle United in this pursuit are the challengers for Tah’s signature, and there are many high-profile clubs present in the mix. Manchester United were linked recently, while there are many other names such as Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Tah could have a host of options on his table before he decides on his next move. Barcelona are in the mix in a big way, to the extent that many reports have stated they are the favourites to land the 29-year-old Bundesliga star. The idea of signing him on a free transfer is tempting for the Catalans given their financial stance at the moment, although the bigger problem for them and the Magpies comes from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are in talks with Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the summer. The Spaniard could bring his Bayer Leverkusen defender along, as the Spanish giants are in the market for a top defender to shore up the backline. Hence, there’s a big chance for Newcastle United and even Barcelona to miss out on Tah as a result, as the 29-year-old Bundesliga star seems destined to play at the Santiago Bernabeu next.
