Bayern Munich's pursuit of Jonathan Tah hits major snag

Tah had expressed his desire to join Bayern Munich eight weeks ago, anticipating that the transfer would be finalized before his return from holiday.

However, the deal has seemed increasingly uncertain as the deadline approached.

Negotiations between the two clubs are reportedly at a standstill, with Leverkusen demanding a firm €40 million for the Germany international. Despite Tah having only 12 months remaining on his contract, Leverkusen have remained resolute in their valuation.

This hefty price tag has made it unlikely for Bayern to proceed with the transfer, especially given the player's contract situation.

Tah is now expected to rejoin Leverkusen for pre-season training, as no agreement has been reached. The situation is further complicated by potential interest in Piero Hincapie from clubs in England and Spain.

If Hincapie were to depart, Leverkusen might choose to retain Tah, even at the risk of losing him for free next summer.

Adding to the complexity is the uncertainty surrounding Matthijs De Ligt's future at Bayern Munich. Rumours linking De Ligt to Manchester United have subsided, especially after United secured Lenny Yoro.

The likelihood of Bayern offloading De Ligt before securing Tah seemed minimal, diminishing the chances of the transfer.

Speculation about other central defenders such as Kim Min-Jae, Eric Dier and Dayot Upamecano leaving Bayern have been minimal, offering little hope for Tah's arrival.

Spending over €20 million for Tah would be a significant gamble for Bayern, given the financial constraints and contractual considerations. Thus, it appears more prudent for Bayern to abandon the pursuit this summer and possibly revisit the prospect of signing Tah on a free transfer next year.