Bayern Munich are expected to beat West Ham and other Premier League clubs to the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, according to HITC Football.
The website claims that Hammers technical director Tim Steidten was “particularly keen on landing” the German, who has been capped 25 times by his country.
However, despite initially being interested in moving to the Premier League, Tah appears to have had his head turned by Bayern.
HITC claim that the 28-year-old will snub West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool in order to remain in the Bundesliga.
Tah had been a long-term target for the Irons
When it was reported last year that the defender had a €18m (£15m) release clause in his contract, West Ham were one of the names mentioned as potential suitors.
At the time though, the London club ultimately decided against making a bid for Tah and the clause subsequently expired.
West Ham are in the market for a new centre-half
While it seems like Tah won’t be moving to the London Stadium, the club remain keen on bringing in reinforcements for the backline. Angelo Ogbonna will need to be replaced when he leaves on a free transfer at the end of this month. There is also uncertainty over the futures of club captain Kurt Zouma and his centre-back partner Nayef Aguerd.
Steidten and his recruitment team are likely to be working around the clock as they seek to strengthen Julen Lopetegui’s options in the centre of defence. Hull City’s Jacob Greaves is regarded as one of the top targets at the moment, but a number of other players are being looked at, including the likes of Lyon’s Jake O’Brien and Udinese’s Nehuen Perez, with the latter reportedly being the subject of an enquiry recently.
