“Deco Cools Speculation on Barcelona’s Interest in Jonathan Tah Amid Defensive Depth

Barcelona Sporting Director Deco has downplayed speculation about pursuing Bayer Leverkusen’s star defender, Jonathan Tah. Despite Tah’s status as one of Europe’s most sought-after center-backs, Deco indicated that Barcelona isn’t actively planning to bring him in. Tah, a Germany international, is expected to be available on a free transfer next summer after opting not to renew his contract with Leverkusen. Although Bayern Munich initially showed strong interest in Tah, their talks broke down, leaving room for Barcelona to make a last-minute approach over the summer.

Reflecting on the decision, Deco explained, “The dynamics within the squad are always evolving. While there was a need initially, things can shift significantly over a season, and at this point, we don’t feel the urgency to sign anyone.”

Deco highlighted Barcelona’s current defensive lineup, including Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, and Inigo Martinez, stressing the club’s satisfaction with its existing options. He clarified that the initial pursuit of Tah was influenced by a temporary shortage due to Marc Bernal’s injury, which forced Garcia to shift to a midfield role. However, Deco emphasized that such decisions aren’t automatically revived the following season.

Interestingly, though Deco remains reserved about Tah, reports suggest manager Hansi Flick is interested in bringing the defender to Barcelona, especially with Bayern and Real Madrid also tracking him. Additionally, the contracts of Araujo, Christensen, and Garcia are set to expire in 2026, potentially affecting Barcelona’s future plans if contract renewals are not secured.