The captain of Leverkusen will join Bayern this summer.

 

According to multiple reports over the past days, Bayer Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah has agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer. The 29-year-old centre-back – a German international with over 35 caps – traveled to Munich on May 27 to undergo his medical and is expected to sign a four-year contract running until June 2029.
German media cite that the agreement with Bayern is already in place, and Leverkusen has been informed of the move. Tah will remain under contract at Leverkusen through June 30, but Bayern aim to register him for the upcoming Club World Cup if possible. (Since his current deal officially runs until the end of June, reports note that Leverkusen may demand a “small-to-mid” million-euro fee to release him early.)
Tah arrives off the back of a stellar season in which he featured in 49 games across all competitions for Leverkusen. He played a key role in Xabi Alonso’s side that went unbeaten domestically en route to winning both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. A 1.95m (6’5″) left-footed defender, Tah has been a fixture at Leverkusen since 2015 and also captains the German national team. In 402 career top-flight appearances (including 291 for Leverkusen) he has shown strong passing and tackling ability, with a reported 35 caps for Germany. In short, he brings veteran experience and championship pedigree to Bayern’s backline.

Defensive Reinforcement for Bayern

Bayern Munich’s new head coach Vincent Kompany has been facing a defensive crunch, making Tah a natural target. With Eric Dier apparently leaving (to AS Monaco) and injuries sidelining Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito, Bayern had just one senior center-back (Kim Min-jae) fit for the final matches of the season. Signing Tah would “significantly strengthen Kompany’s defence,” as analysts note.
Tah is left-footed and technically comfortable, fitting Bayern’s style of building from the back. At 29, he is in his prime and can immediately slot into Bayern’s system, potentially partnering Min-jae or providing back-up depth. Having already won the Bundesliga title last season, Tah adds a winning mentality that Munich values.
From the club’s viewpoint, Tah’s free-agent status is a bonus. Bayern did not have to negotiate a large transfer fee (his Leverkusen deal expires June 30), yet by agreeing ahead of time they can secure a top defender without competition. Leverkusen is only asking for a token “small to mid” fee if Tah is to be released a few weeks early for the Club World Cup. (Given Bayern’s potential prize money from the tournament, this would be easily affordable.) In effect, Bayern get a marquee signing at essentially free cost – a savvy move for defending champions who want to maintain their trophy momentum.

Tah’s Perspective: A Career Move

For Jonathan Tah, the move to Bayern represents a step up to Europe’s biggest stages. He spent a decade at Leverkusen, breaking through via Hamburger SV and a loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf, and became club captain. Now he joins the perennial German champions.
Besides better wages and a higher profile, Tah will compete regularly for the Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League. It’s also an opportunity to participate in the Club World Cup and to work under a high-profile coach. Having already achieved domestic success (league and cup double), Tah likely sees this as the pinnacle of his career. As former Bayern defender Jérôme Boateng remarked in a recent interview, “I absolutely believe he can play at FC Bayern. He is an asset and can become the defensive leader.” In other words, even ex-players view him as capable of shining in Munich.
Tah’s style – tall, calm on the ball, strong in duels – suits Bayern’s need for a modern centre-back. He formed the spine of Leverkusen’s unbeaten squad and is known for leadership (he wears the captain’s armband). Teammates and commentators have praised his reading of the game. Moving to Bayern, he will have to fight for playing time, but with a four-year deal in hand he has a guaranteed future at a club where competition for places is intense. For a player in his late 20s, this switch puts him in contention for further trophies and international recognition.

Contract and Financial Details

The reported deal spans four years until June 2029. Tah was a free agent, so Bayern need not pay a transfer fee when his contract begins on July 1. However, the timing creates a twist: Bayern wanted Tah available for their Club World Cup campaign in mid-June, before the domestic season ends. Since his Leverkusen contract officially expired June 30, Bayern have been negotiating a short-term release. Bayer Leverkusen is insisting on a compensation – “a small to mid single-digit million sum” – to cut Tah’s contract short by about four weeks.
The rationale is that Bayern stand to gain from additional prize money in the tournament, so Leverkusen feels entitled to a piece of that. As one report notes, Bayern could earn roughly $2 million per win in the group stage and much more for reaching later rounds. The clubs are reportedly discussing a mutually agreeable figure; even if a few million are paid, it’s still a bargain for Munich given the player’s quality.
Tah will register as a free transfer on July 1. His wages have not been officially disclosed, but Bayern’s salary structure suggests he will earn significantly more than at Leverkusen. There is also talk of performance bonuses (perhaps tied to playing time or team success). Importantly, Bayern have smartly included no large immediate fees or uncertain add-ons – it appears to be a straightforward permanent deal. Should Bayern wish to recoup him later, Leverkusen may have a buy-back clause (as they often negotiate), but nothing on that has been confirmed for Tah. At face value, this is a cost-effective signing: four years of a top defender essentially on a free transfer, aside from any small release payment.