Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid in race to sign defender next summer

In recent weeks there has been a lot of speculation in Spain about the possibility of Jonathan Tah coming to La Liga from next season. The Bayer Leverkusen defender is out of contract at the end of June and he almost certainly won't sign an extension – meaning he will be available as a free agent next summer.

Real Madrid have been strongly linked with Tah, and he is reportedly seen as a solution to their crippling defensive injury crisis. However, transfer journalist Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany (via Sport) has said that Los Blancos follow Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race to sign the 28-year-old centre-back.

Real Madrid are very attentive to Tah's situation, although they will have to make amends if they are serious about signing him. In Barcelona's case, he would also be a very good signing, although it will be difficult for them to compete financially with Bayern.