Barcelona have secured their first signing for the 2025/26 season

Barcelona appear to have made significant progress in shaping their squad for the 2025/26 season by securing their first signing well in advance.

According to a recent report from Sportitalia, the Catalan club has successfully reached an agreement with German centre-back Jonathan Tah to join them for free next summer.

This development is a major boost for Barcelona, as the 28-year-old defender is regarded as an experienced and reliable option to bolster their backline.

Beating the competition

It is said that Tah, who will turn 29 in February, was also on the radar of Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus.

Both clubs had shown interest in the Bayer Leverkusen defender, with Juventus even considering an early move for him in January to address their defensive gaps caused by Bremer’s injury.

However, Barcelona have won the race, leaving their Italian counterparts to explore other options.

Hansi Flick’s role

Reports of advanced negotiations between Barcelona and Tah had surfaced earlier, and it now seems the deal has been finalised.

Apparently, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has played a key role in securing the signing of his compatriot, underlining the club’s determination to strengthen their defence without dipping into their transfer budget.

With Tah’s arrival expected at the end of the current season, Barcelona will face the challenge of managing their defensive roster.

Someone needs to go

To avoid overcrowding in the centre-back position, it is likely that the club will offload one or two players. Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are among the names being mentioned as potential departures.

Christensen could be sacrificed to facilitate the registration of Dani Olmo for the long term, while Garcia’s reduced role under Flick may make him a candidate for an exit.

This move highlights Barcelona’s strategic approach in utilising the free-agent market to address their squad needs while maintaining financial prudence.

The addition of Tah is expected to bring experience, versatility, and depth to the team as they prepare for future challenges.