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Real Madrid to beat Bayern Munich for Bayer Leverkusen star's signature in 2025?
![Germany's Jonathan Tah pictured on June 23, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/thumbor/zuEa6TRrPYO5sGf7pue7xqeX4qo=/640x480/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F26%2Fjonathan-tah_1.jpg "Germany's Jonathan Tah pictured on June 23, 2024 [IMAGO]")
Real Madrid have seemingly received a boost in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, whose agent said that the defender will join a big club in the summer.
The 28-year-old enjoyed an invincible season under the management of Xabi Alonso in 2023-24, snatching the league crown from Bayern Munich and becoming the first Bundesliga team to go unbeaten across an entire domestic campaign.
Tah was pivotal for Leverkusen, starting 30 of 34 league games while also chipping in with four goals and one assist.
If Alonso was to stay with the title winners beyond this season, he could be left with a defensive headache given the centre-back is out of contract in the summer and is set to leave the club for free, with Bayern touted as one potential destination.
Liverpool to make January charge for the title? Slot to be given January funds
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F29%2Fmarc-guehi_1.jpg "England's Marc Guehi celebrates after the match on June 16, 2024")
Liverpool are reported to have funds available to sign a marquee defender in January after failing to land targets such as Marc Guehi in the summer window.
Arne Slot's side are first in both the Premier League and Champions League tables and the Dutchman has won 15 of his first 17 games in charge.
While Slot's Reds share some similarities with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool teams, there has been a greater emphasis this term on controlling matches, and this has proved fruitful given the Merseysiders have conceded just six goals in the top flight.
This record makes Liverpool the best defensive side in the division, and their tally of six clean sheets after 11 games is a remarkable improvement on 2023-24's showing considering it took the club 17 league fixtures to reach the same total last season.
Haaland's Plan B? New club 'enter race' for Man City striker next summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F44%2Ferling-haaland.jpg "Manchester City's Erling Haaland on October 26, 2024")
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is reportedly interested in a switch to Paris Saint-Germain in the near future.
The 24-year-old was on the scoresheet once again for the Citizens on Saturday afternoon, when the English champions lost at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Haaland showed plenty of determination to fire in an opener during the first half, however strikes from Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley secured a comeback success for the Seagulls on the South coast.
For the first time since the arrival of Pep Guardiola on the blue side of Manchester, the Citizens have lost four straight competitive matches, leaving them second in the Premier League table.
Man United 'fighting European giants' for German star next summer
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F37%2Fkai-havertz.jpg "Germany's Kai Havertz celebrates with Jonathan Tah and Jamal Musiala on September 7, 2024")
Manchester United have reportedly joined Barcelona in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah.
The 28-year-old was linked to Barca last month, with the Spanish club also said to be targeting Bayern Munich and Canada full-back Alphonso Davies.
Tah was a stalwart for Bayer Leverkusen during a historic campaign under Xabi Alonso in 2023-24, in which the German side lifted the Bundesliga crown as invincibles.
During a term which also included DFB Pokal glory and an appearance in the final of the Europa League, the centre-back featured on 48 occasions, scoring six goals.
'Very interested' - Man City eyeing world-class Rodri replacement?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F39%2Frodri_1.jpg "Manchester City's Rodri pictured on September 18, 2024")
Manchester City have reportedly identified Real Madrid man Federico Valverde as a possible Rodri replacement.
The Citizens have made a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign by their own high standards, missing the presence of their Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder.
A worrying losing run extended to four matches across all competitions on Saturday evening, when Man City were defeated 2-1 at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Erling Haaland showed plenty of determination to blast the visitors ahead in the first period, although a second-half Seagulls comeback changed the destination of the points.
Man Utd 'make contact' over move for out-of-favour Chelsea attacker
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F45%2Fchelsea_2.jpg "Christopher Nkunku of Chelsea on November 6, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly open to signing a Chelsea attacker during the January transfer window.
Ruben Amorim officially starts work as the new Red Devils head coach this week having been chosen as the permanent successor to Erik ten Hag.
The Portuguese is joining at a time when United have been able to put together a four-match unbeaten streak caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
United's 3-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday afternoon moved the club into 13th position in the Premier League table heading into the November international break.
Emery's starboy? Villa 'monitoring the new Grealish' ahead of summer window
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Funai-emery.jpg "Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery in October 2024.")
Aston Villa have reportedly emerged as frontrunners in the race for Southampton winger Tyler Dibling.
The 18-year-old has been a shining light during a difficult return to the top flight for the Saints, who are currently bottom of the Premier League standings.
Dibling first made national headlines courtesy of his stellar display during the visit of Erik ten Hag's Manchester United to St Mary's in September.
Despite his side losing 3-0 in the end, the attacker produced some impressive bits of play, tormenting left-back Diogo Dalot and winning a penalty in the first half.
Four Premier League clubs on high alert as Bayern Munich star becomes available?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F32%2Fmathys-tel.jpeg "Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur on August 10, 2024")
Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Bayern Munich youngster Mathys Tel in January.
The 19-year-old has already been linked to the Premier League this season, with the Foxes' East Midlands neighbours Nottingham Forest also said to be keen on the player.
Tel is currently struggling for gametime in the Bundesliga for Vincent Kompany's side this season, playing a total of 112 minutes across four league appearances.
The former Manchester United target has fallen behind the likes of Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry in the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.
Could Real Madrid scupper Man Utd's Branthwaite move after Militao injury?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F40%2Fjarrad-branthwaite.jpg "Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite after the match on September 28, 2024")
Real Madrid are reportedly contemplating whether to make a formal approach for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Although Los Blancos won last season's La Liga and Champions League trophies, it has been suggested for some time that defensive additions would soon have to be made.
As well as not necessarily possessing the greatest strength in depth in the area, Carlo Ancelotti does not have a right-back or centre-back who is below the age of 26.
The defensive situation at the Bernabeu has become more critical courtesy of the long-term injuries suffered by Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, the latter as recently as the weekend.
Spurs 'preparing strong bid' for on-loan Brighton gem
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Ffacundo-buonanotte.jpg "Leicester City's Facundo Buonanotte on October 5, 2024")
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified one of Brighton & Hove Albion's prospects as a potential transfer target.
While Spurs have invested in youth in recent transfer windows, their ambitions to build an effective squad under Ange Postecoglou is yet to translate onto the pitch.
Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Ipswich Town was their fifth in 11 Premier League matches during the 2024-25 campaign.
Although Spurs remain three points adrift of third place in the table, the pressure on Postecoglou is beginning to intensify with the Greek-Australian acknowledging that he is largely responsible for their inconsistencies.
Liverpool midfielder Endo offered five escape routes from Anfield?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F41%2Fwataru-endo.jpg "Liverpool's Wataru Endo pictured on October 5, 2024")
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly been identified as a transfer target by as many as five clubs.
The Merseyside giants are currently sitting in a dream position in the Premier League table, leading the chasing pack by five points in Arne Slot's first season in charge.
Despite the perceived need for a new defensive midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation in that area of the pitch to help Slot's side look efficient and clinical in equal measure.
However, the form of the Netherlands international has had ramifications for Endo, who would have been hopeful of regular opportunities in all competitions.
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