As they have been unable to splurge large amounts of cash on their desired transfer targets, FC Barcelona have taken advantage of the contractual situations of some top-class players to incorporate them without paying any transfer fee.
This was the case with the likes of İlkay Gündoğan, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, and Iñigo Martínez, who all joined the Blaugrana club after running down their contracts with their former clubs in the last few years.
Although there was no such signing in the last summer transfer window, there are good chances that there will be such a signing in summer 2025, as SPORT reports that Barcelona have finally decided to sign Jonathan Tah, the 28-year-old Bayer Leverkusen defender whose contract ends at the end of this season.
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 28: Robert Andrich of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates with teammate Jonathan Tah after scoring his team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Allianz Arena on September 28, 2024 in Munich, Germany.
Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
There were reports of Deco flying to Germany to meet the defender and his agent a few days ago, and the report claims that this meeting was prompted by the German center-back’s own desire to join the Catalan club.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender also had a significant offer from Bayern Munich, but after assessing his options, he has finally decided to play for Barcelona next season.
In their meeting, the player made it clear to Deco that he would be willing to make some financial sacrifices if the Blaugranes took clear steps forward to sign him in the first months of 2025.
Although he was not one of the first priorities of the Barcelona sporting department, Flick was particularly keen to have him in his team.
Similarly, the club also made the decision to sign him as they like Tah, but like him even more, as the German is committed to playing for Barcelona, and has already taken steps to join the Catalan team for the next season.
However, it is clear that he would be looking for a starting spot at Barcelona, and this can complicate matters for the Blaugranes as they already have a surplus of defenders in their ranks.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Inigo Martinez of FC Barcelona with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 23, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Hansi Flick of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at Reale Arena on November 10, 2024 in San Sebastian, Spain.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 06: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona, looks on during the LaLiga match between Deportivo Alaves and FC Barcelona at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 06, 2024 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.