Real Madrid poised to disrupt Amorim’s first Manchester United signing, setting up a major January move.
Real Madrid is set to secure a new center-back in January, with recent updates confirming Carlo Ancelotti’s side is targeting a player who has already been on Manchester United’s radar.
Spanish outlet AS reports that Real Madrid has prioritized signing a new center-back in the upcoming winter transfer window, largely due to Eder Militao’s season-ending ACL injury. Among the candidates being considered are Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), and Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Tah, who won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen last season, has also attracted interest from Manchester United. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, United is aiming to bolster its defense, especially as Amorim looks to implement a back-three system.
Reportedly, United has already contacted Tah’s representatives. However, a fresh report from Sky Germany suggests United’s plans could be disrupted by Real Madrid. Journalist Florian Plettenberg noted on X that Tah is “on Real Madrid’s list among other options.”
Plettenberg clarified that while no “concrete” negotiations have occurred yet, a January transfer to Real Madrid “could become a real possibility.”
Some had suggested Real Madrid could bring back Sergio Ramos as a short-term solution, but both AS and Plettenberg indicated the club is looking for a long-term option rather than re-signing Ramos.
Tah, who is 28 and in the final year of his Leverkusen contract, could leave in January at a reduced fee, giving Leverkusen a final chance to profit before he departs in 2025.
Manchester United currently has a range of center-back options, including Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Leny Yoro, and Jonny Evans. However, Maguire, Lindelof, and Evans are all nearing the end of their contracts, with only a 12-month option to extend Maguire’s stay.
According to TEAMtalk, United might let all three – Maguire, Lindelof, and Evans – go at the end of the season. With Amorim’s back-three system, signing Tah in January could be part of United’s strategy to solidify their defensive lineup early.
