Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen defender and Barcelona target, has made it clear that he will not extend his stay at the German club beyond his current contract, which runs until the summer of 2025.
After spending ten seasons in the first team at Leverkusen, Tah has now confirmed that this will be his final stint with the club.
In an interview with the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Tah reiterated his decision not to renew his contract, stating it was driven by professional reasons.
When asked if he had reconsidered extending his contract, Tah was firm in his response: “No, my decision remains unchanged. I will not renew my contract. My current deal runs until 2025, and I will give my all for Leverkusen until then.
“A football career is short, and I want to make the most of my opportunities. I believe it’s time to explore new challenges, especially after such a successful season,” he was quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Want to be respectful to Bayer
Tah also emphasised that he had been transparent with Bayer Leverkusen, informing them of his intentions a year in advance.
“I’ve been open and clear about my wishes. Once a player makes their intentions known, it’s up to the clubs to work things out.
“Unfortunately, rumours and speculation can spiral out of control, and the player suffers in the process. We footballers are well-off, but it’s difficult when you lose control of the situation,” noted the defender.
Furthermore, when pressed about whether he would be joining Bayern Munich next season, Tah remained non-committal, simply saying,
“That’s a good question. We’ll see. Right now, I’m focused on the season ahead with Leverkusen.”
While confirming interest from other clubs, Tah did not specifically mention Barcelona, though reports indicate the Spanish club expressed interest in him in late August.
With his future uncertain, Jonathan Tah is set to see out his current contract while considering his next move, with Barcelona and other clubs keeping a close eye on the developments.