Man Utd "hold talks" with 6ft 3in colossus who Liverpool boss Arne Slot has praised this season

Manchester United’s summer transfer plans could be transformed by winning the Europa League but as things stand the Red Devils are heading into the window with a limited budget.

If United can triumph in the Europa League, it will free up more funds to sign their desired targets while also putting them back in the Champions League. They will still be able to finance one or two incomings without any player sales but the plan is to trim Ruben Amorim’s squad.

The likes of Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Tom Heaton are all set to move on while there are several others such as Marcus Rashford and Antony who are poised for the exit door.

Even if United qualify for the Champions League, they are still looking to be shrewd in the transfer market and have identified Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah as a possible addition this summer.

Man United hols transfer talks with Jonathan Tah

United’s interest in Tah emerged earlier this week while Manchester World had previously suggested the Red Devils should be looking at the free agent market with the likes of Angel Gomes and Jonathan David available on free transfers this summer.

Now Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has added more detail to United’s interest in Tah and claims talks have already taken place with the player’s representatives. He reported on X: “Manchester United have entered the race for Jonathan Tah and want to sign the 29-y/o centre-back on a free transfer this summer. Talks with his management have taken place.”

However, a move is not straightforward as La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are also keen. The Bayer Leverkusen centre back is available on a free transfer this summer as his contract with Bayer Leverkusen is poised to run out at the end of the season and there does not appear to be an intention to sign a new deal.

Tah praised by Liverpool manager Arne Slot earlier this season

Liverpool faced off against Tah’s Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield in the Champions League earlier this season. Such is the defenders qualities, Reds boss Arne Slot admitted he changed his tactics ahead of the game in order to find a way around Tah, who stands at a towering 6ft 3in.

While explaining his selection decisions, Slot branded Tah as the best defender in the Bundesliga. He said back in November: “I think Tah, who is a real good defender and is one of the best defenders in Germany… maybe the best defender in Germany, maybe likes to play more against a target man, someone who’s there in the middle. We chose to play Lucho [Luis Diaz] more from the left or the midfield and then maybe surprise him afterwards with runs in behind – not only him but in general.”

Tah has been with Leverkusen since 2015 and was part of the side that went unbeaten to win the 2023-24 Bundesliga title. He has made 399 appearances for the German club at the time of writing and chipped in with 17 goals and 13 assists from defence.