Deco Confirms Barcelona Were Close to Deal for Bayern Munich Player Last Summer

Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has acknowledged that the club were “very advanced” in negotiations to sign Germany defender Jonathan Tah on a free transfer last summer, only for the centre-back to ultimately join Bayern Munich.

Tah, 30, had reached the final weeks of his Bayer Leverkusen contract and was available without a fee when Barcelona lodged a late-loan proposal during the 2024 window. As June approached, discussions intensified and a verbal agreement in principle appeared close, but the Catalans delayed making a definitive move. Bayern Munich seized the opportunity, announcing Tah’s arrival on a free shortly afterward.

“There were very advanced conversations for Jonathan Tah, and in the end it didn’t happen,” Deco told Sport, confirming earlier reports that Barcelona had hesitated at the crucial moment.

With Tah off the market, Barcelona redirected resources toward other targets, eventually landing goalkeeper Joan Garcia for €25 million, securing Marcus Rashford on a €5 million loan, and acquiring Roony Bardghji for €2.6 million.

Tah wasted no time establishing himself at the Allianz Arena, starting 30 of his 32 competitive appearances under Vincent Kompany and contributing three goals and two assists in 2,625 minutes of action. He has been an unused substitute only three times since his summer switch.

Looking ahead, reinforcing central defence remains a priority for Barcelona, though financial constraints cloud the budget. Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi is available on a free in a scenario similar to Tah’s a year ago, while premium options such as Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni are admired but currently beyond the club’s salary-limit reach.

Deco’s revelation underlines how fine the margins can be in the transfer market: one moment of indecision last summer turned a potential Barcelona stalwart into a mainstay for Bayern Munich.