'Slot called me the best defender in Germany – MU could sign me for nothing'

One defender was once praised by Liverpool boss Arne Slot for his Champions League performance and could wind up on Manchester United's books this summer by way of a tree transfer

Manchester United are interested in recruiting towering Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah on a free transfer this summer. The 6ft3in German received healthy praise from the boss of arch-rivals Liverpool, Arne Slot, last year for his Champions League exploits.

Having conceded a sub-par 51 goals already in the Premier League this season, an area that Ruben Amorim's bottom-half side will be looking to improve when the transfer window swings open will be the heart of defence.

While Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were purchased during the last summer window for hefty fees, Amorim's system requires a trio of competent centre-halves. The now-sidelined Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson have been called upon in recent fixtures as young, inexperienced deputies, with injuries mounting and depth shallow.

One name that the Red Devils find themselves linked with is Leverkusen's Tah - a steadfast colossus of a defender who aided in his team's unbeaten Bundesliga campaign last term. The 29-year-old German is out of contract this summer, and various suitors across Europe, including United, are swarming for the man whom Reds boss Slot altered his lineup for and praised after a Champions League outing.

According to Sky Sports, with Tah's current deal coming to an end and a new one not yet signed, Amorim's United are one of many teams who admire the defender.

It is also thought that both Barcelona and Real Madrid hold a genuine interest in recruiting Tah, but any move to the Nou Camp may be hindered by financial issues.

Should Tah arrive in the Premier League, he'd once again face off against Slot's Liverpool, whom he and Leverkusen clashed with last year in the Champions League.

It was during this November 2024 fixture - a group phase match that ended in a 4-0 Liverpool thrashing - that Slot complemented Tah, and even admitted that, despite a convincing win, he shuffled his team around to better deal with the centre-back.

"I think Tah, who is a really 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," said Slot.

"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."

The Red Devils are currently wallowing in the top-flight's bottom half, and have a potential Europa League win as their only means of securing European football next term. Yet, Amorim does not fear that there'll be a lack of wanting recruits in the transfer market.

"It's Manchester United," said Amorim when asked about the pull his club has in the transfer window. "What I feel is there are a lot of players who want to play for our club.

"I know that if you look at our club in the moment, with all the problems with the staff and people going, changing coach and the results, it looks like a little bit of a problem.

"But we have a clear idea. That is the easiest part to explain to a player. Then it is Manchester United. Everyone wants to play for Manchester United."