Xabi Alonso had clearly expressed his desire to sign a central defender, with Jonathan Tah as his first choice. However, once Real Madrid learned that Huijsen was available, Alonso did not hesitate and opted for the Spanish player over the German defender, who is now a potential signing for Barcelona. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s new coach has not yet given up on signing Jonathan Tah.
The 29-year-old defender’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires this summer, allowing him to choose his next destination freely. In addition to Barcelona, Bayern Munich has also shown strong interest in acquiring the player. Had Real Madrid made a serious offer, Tah would have been a strong candidate due to his excellent relationship with Xabi Alonso, the coach who has played a key role in his development in recent seasons.
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However, despite Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a new central defender, Tah is no longer considered an option. The main reason is his apparent willingness to engage in a bidding war to secure the highest possible salary—a financial approach that Real Madrid has consistently avoided in recent years.
Instead, the club prefers to focus on younger players who can be signed on long-term contracts.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, despite Real Madrid’s acquisition of Huijsen, Alonso still favored the signing of Tah. However, a late intervention by Hansi Flick, who contacted the player in the final hours, changed the course of events. Now, the German defensive star is reportedly on the verge of officially joining the Catalan side.
