Transfer Talk: Barcelona, Bayern eyeing Leverkusen's Tah

The winter transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Barca, Bayern competing with Premier League clubs to sign Tah

A battle between Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and a number of Premier League sides is set to take place for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg.

The 28-year-old is reported to be set to leave Die Werkself at the end of his contract next summer, having already decided that his future lay away from the BayArena.

While Bayern were previously at the front of the queue for his signature, it is believed that other options across Europe have now emerged as contenders, with an open race that could begin in January when clubs from outside of the Bundesliga can sign him to a pre-contract agreement.

Tah played a key role for manager Xabi Alonso with 31 appearances in last season’s Bundesliga title-winning campaign, as well as starting four of five matches for Germany at the UEFA European Championship.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Manchester City are keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, reports Relevo. The Premier League club are reported to see the 25-year-old as a potential option to replace Rodri after he was ruled out for the season with an injury, and it is said that they are now lining up a swoop for his Spain international compatriot in January. Zubimendi has a release clause in his contract that allows him to be signed for €60 million.

– Eintracht Frankfurt are planning to resist offers in January for in-form striker Omar Marmoush, reports Die Welt. Multiple clubs in Europe including Liverpool are believed to be interested in the 25-year-old Egypt international, but the Bundesliga club doesn’t want to part ways with him in the middle of the domestic campaign. Marmoush has scored eight goals while assisting another four in six league matches this season, including a brace and an assist in the 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich on Sunday.

– Napoli are set to stand firm against interest from Barcelona in defensive midfielder Stanislav Lobotka, reports Calciomercato. The Serie A club are reported to be planning to inform the Blaugrana that they have no plans to part ways with the 29-year-old in the next transfer window after he emerged as an option on their shortlist. He has made seven Serie A appearances this season.

– Several clubs in Europe are tracking on-loan Red Star Belgrade winger Silas, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. The 26-year-old is currently on loan from VfB Stuttgart, but it is believed that sides could activate his €10m release clause in January, with Everton and Villarreal among the multiple teams interested in his signature.

– Free agent defender Sergio Ramos isn’t on the radar of Real Madrid, reports Mundo Deportivo. Despite the 38-year-old being suggested as a potential option to replace Dani Carvajal, who sustained a serious knee injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win with Villarreal, it is reported that the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy isn’t currently looking to him as a solution.