Jonathan Tah may miss out on Club World Cup group stage as Bayer Leverkusen demand 'absurd' fee despite defender's Bayern Munich transfer

According to a report by Sky Sport, Leverkusen initially demanded a €7 million fee from Bayern to agree to free Tah from his contract before it expires at the end of the month, with the centre-back having already agreed to join the Bundesliga champions on a four-year deal. Bayern are currently negotiating over a deal closer to €3m.

Unless an agreement is reached, Tah will not be available for the group stage of the competition in the United States, where the Bavarians will face Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica. He would also miss out on the round of 16 but would be eligible from the quarter-finals after his Leverkusen deal reaches its end.

The Germany international initially agreed to join Bayern last year, but said recently he was convinced to stay by Xabi Alonso. He played 402 competitive matches for Leverkusen over a 10-year spell and was a vital cog in Xabi Alonso’s double-winning side in 2023-24.

Bayern will start their Club World Cup campaign against Auckland City on June 15, at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.