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Manchester City Should Target Jonathan Tah

By Dan Larsen

UDINE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Jonathan Tah of Germany in action during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Final between Spain and Germany at Stadio Friuli on June 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY - JUNE 30: Jonathan Tah of Germany in action during the 2019 UEFA U-21 Final between Spain and Germany at Stadio Friuli on June 30, 2019 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) /
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There are a few things that could derail a transfer of Jonathan Tah to Manchester City.

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – JULY 30: Sergej Milinkovic Savic of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen during the pre-season friendly match between SS Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen at Goldberg-Stadion on July 30, 2017 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – JULY 30: Sergej Milinkovic Savic of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen during the pre-season friendly match between SS Lazio and Bayer Leverkusen at Goldberg-Stadion on July 30, 2017 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images) /

Though he fits the profile of someone that would make an excellent option in Manchester City’s defense, there are a few reasons why Jonathan Tah may not become a target for them this summer.

First, as was already discussed, he has missed time at several points in his career due to muscle injuries, including due to muscle tears. He hasn’t missed a great deal of games because of these injuries, but the fact that he’s had several already this early in his career is a massive red flag. There are real questions about how durable he can be.

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A second reason why City may be put off is that, for as good as he’s been over several years, he’s never graded out as the top defender in the Bundesliga. Tah looked like he was well on his way to becoming the future of the German back line after his exceptional 2015-16 season. He’s hasn’t been able to return to the incredible production he posted that year since, though he’s certainly remained a solid defender that’s been near the top a league that does boast some great defenders in his position.

A third reason why a transfer may not occur is that Tah’s price will be significant. Tah’s current market value on transfermarkt.com is 36 million pounds. He also signed an extension through the 2023 season  in February 2018. It’s not crazy to expect Leverkusen to seek at least 50 million pounds in negotiations for him given how many years he has left and how well he has played.

The final reason why a transfer may not occur is that, despite the departure of Vincent Kompany this summer, Manchester City still need to clear another foreign player slot in their squad if they’re going to bring Tah in. This would likely mean selling Nicholas Otamendi, something that could prove difficult and would still leave City a man down in central defense.