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Manchester United’s pursuit of Jonathan Tah could face a decisive blow as Premier League rival Newcastle United have joined the race for the German international, according to a report.
Tah is set to become a free agent at the end of the season as his contract with Bayer Leverkusen draws to a close with no prospect of a renewal with the 29-year-old defender exploring another of potential destinations.
A switch to Spain had appeared the early frontrunner with Real Madrid and Barcelona both expressing an interest in Tah but the financial pull of the Premier League is hard for La Liga teams to match.
United have been strongly linked with a move for the centre-back as Old Trafford executives continue to search for options to overhaul Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.
The Red Devils’ financial situation is a limited one due to the acute pressure of PSR and a host of reinforcements needed further up the pitch.
A free transfer, therefore, for a seasoned international defender with a wealth of experience in a back three – the system utilised by Amorim – would prove an astute signing.
Tah is believed to earn around £60,000-a-week at the BayerArena, meaning United could feasibly offer a significant improvement in wages to convince the German defender to swap Leverkusen for Manchester without breaking their salary structure.
However, The Sun now reports that Newcastle are “monitoring” Tah with Eddie Howe described as “desperate” to buttress his defensive unit as he “attempts to build a team that can make a genuine title challenge.”
The Magpies hold a long-standing interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi – described as their “top target” – after a blockbuster raid on Selhurst Park failed last summer.
But, in a similar vein to United, Tah would offer a bargain alternative to the £70 million-rated Guehi, enabling executives at St James’ Park to focus significant investment elsewhere in the squad.
The Sun contends Tah is “keen on moving to the Premier League”, though Bayern Munich are also mooted as a potential destination. Newcastle are also likely to be able to offer the 29-year-old European football next season, with United’s hopes dangling in the balance through their Europa League campaign.
The Peoples Person have identified the Bayer Leverkusen defender as an “experienced head” who would provide a significant boost to Amorim’s young squad at Old Trafford. Whether INEOS will be able to seal the deal with growing interest from England and across the continent in Tah remains to be seen.
Featured image Lars Baron via Getty Images
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