Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Catalans receive Jonathan Tah boost, club plan Lamine Yamal renewal, and more - September 17, 2024
Barcelona kickstart their Champions League campaign with a visit to the Stade Louis II to face Monaco in the group stages of the tournament on Thursday, September 19. Hansi Flick's team are on a glorious run this season and have won all their five games so far.
Meanwhile, the Catalans have received some good news in their efforts to sign Jonathan Tah in 2025. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants are planning to hand Lamine Yamal a new deal.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from September 17, 2024.
Barcelona receive Jonathan Tah boost
Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has insisted that the club are not interested in Jonathan Tah. The German defender is in the final year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen and hasn't signed an extension yet.
Barcelona are among the parties eyeing the 28-year-old with interest. The Catalans have struggled with financial issues of late and have targeted free agents in the transfer market. With Ronald Araujo's future uncertain, Tah has reportedly been identified as an option by the La Liga giants.
Interestingly, recent reports have suggested that the Bavarians have already struck a deal to sign the German defender in 2025. Bayern Munich have a history of picking up the best talents of the country and it was suggested that Tah is their next target. However, Eberl has refuted those claims.
Speaking to Sport1, he insisted that the Bavarians are happy with Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano.
"We do not have any deal agreed with Tah for 2025. He’s a German international, with a big role at Bayer. That’s it. I’m extremely happy with Kim and Upamecano,” said Eberl.
Barcelona are likely to face severe competition for Tah if he becomes available as a free agent next year.
Catalans plan Lamine Yamal renewal
Barcelona are planning to hand Lamine Yamal a new contract, according to MARCA. The Spanish forward announced himself at Camp Nou last season, featuring 50 times across competitions.
Yamal finished the campaign with seven goals and nine assists to his name and broke countless records in the process. The player went on to star for Spain at Euro 2024, helping his country win the tournament.
Understandably, the 17-year-old's steady rise has caught the imagination of clubs across the continent. It was reported that Paris Saint-German (PSG) offered €250m for the player this summer but the Catalans turned them down.
Yamal's current contract expires in 2027 but the La Liga giants want to tie him down to a new deal once he turns 18 next July. Barcelona are planning to hand him a five-year deal, with improved wages, that will keep the player at Camp Nou until 2030.
Real Betis have €25m purchase option for Vitor Roque
Real Betis have an option to buy Vitor Roque for €25m next summer, according to SPORT. The Brazilian forward left Barcelona this summer on a temporary move to the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Vitor Roque failed to live up to expectations at Camp Nou after arriving in January this year. It was initially reported that Hansi Flick would assess the player before making a decision but the Catalans ultimately decided to move him.
The 19-year-old has found a new lease of life since his move and has already scored his first goal for the Andalusian club in his second game. It is now being reported that Betis have the option to purchase Vitor Roque at the end of the season.
However, should they exercise that clause, they will only have 80% of his right. Barcelona will own the remaining 20% and as such, will be entitled to a sell-on fee if the player is offloaded in the future.