Bayer Leverkusen may have to sell top Manchester United target, confirms CEO

Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO has admitted that they may be forced to sell highly-rated Bundesliga centre-back Jonathan Tah this summer.

After playing an integral role in Bayer Leverkusen‘s historic season, Tah has attracted the interest of several top European clubs, including Manchester United.

Having made 41 appearances in all competitions, the German has helped Leverkusen dethrone former champions Bayern Munich for the first time in twelve by winning the Bundesliga.

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The new champions remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga, Europa League and the German domestic cup (DFB-Pokal) and look set to win a momentous treble.

Meanwhile, United have struggled this season, bowing out of Europe in December and failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

A key factor in this lack of success has been defensive injuries that have plagued the squad all season, with key players like Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martínez missing most of the season.

For this reason, new owners INEOS are said to be considering pursuing a new centre-back in the upcoming transfer window, leading to frequent links with players such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Gelison Bremer and Jean-Clair Todibo.

28-year-old Jonathan Tah is another name linked with a move to Old Trafford, and Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, has admitted that they may be forced to sell the centre-back this summer.

While a contract extension would be Leverkusen’s preferred option, if Tah is interested in a move, the German champions will respect his wish and allow him to leave the club ahead of his contract expiring next year.

Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Carro said: “We want to extend his contract. We are a club that will not give players away for free. That means that we have to extend his contract, otherwise we will sell him.”

“We have spoken to Jonathan, we value him very much. He knows that the club and all of us want to keep him in Leverkusen. He knows that. But we also respect his wish. We will see whether he stays with us in the end or goes somewhere else. We hope he stays.”

“If I try to put myself in Jonathan’s position, it might be more interesting for him if he wants to move or would end up moving, perhaps not to move within Germany. Maybe it is more interesting to move abroad.”

But, United are not the only club interested in securing the signature of the talented defender, with Bayern Munich also hoping to sign Tah should become available.