Liverpool’s pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has been one of the most talked-about transfer sagas of recent months. The Reds came tantalizingly close to securing the highly-rated center-back, only for the deal to collapse on deadline day. With teenager Giovanni Leoni sidelined for around a year due to a cruel injury blow, Liverpool’s defensive depth has been stretched thin, relying heavily on the trio of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez. While this trio is formidable, the injury histories of Konate and Gomez, combined with Van Dijk’s age (34), have forced Liverpool to explore alternatives to bolster their backline.
Enter an unexpected name: Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen, a player who has emerged as a potential Marc Guehi doppelgänger, offering similar qualities at a fraction of the price. While Guehi’s price tag was rumored to be in the region of £70 million, Tah’s current situation at Leverkusen makes him an astonishingly cost-effective option, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026. This breakthrough could be a game-changer for Liverpool as they look to secure their defensive future.
Jonathan Tah, a 29-year-old German international, has been a cornerstone of Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable rise under Xabi Alonso, culminating in their Bundesliga triumph in the 2024/25 season. Standing at 6’5”, Tah combines physicality, aerial dominance, and composure on the ball—attributes that align closely with Guehi’s playing style. Like Guehi, Tah is comfortable playing out from the back, boasts excellent positional awareness, and has the versatility to operate in multiple defensive systems.
Tah’s statistical profile further highlights his similarities to Guehi. In the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, Tah averaged 1.8 tackles per game, 1.5 interceptions, and a pass completion rate of 92%, numbers that mirror Guehi’s Premier League output. His leadership qualities also shine through, having captained Leverkusen on multiple occasions. While Guehi is younger at 25, Tah’s experience—over 300 Bundesliga appearances and 26 caps for Germany—makes him an immediate solution for Liverpool’s defensive needs.
What makes Tah an unbelievable find is the financial aspect. With his contract nearing its final year, Leverkusen could be open to negotiating a cut-price deal in January to avoid losing him for free in 2026. Reports suggest that a fee as low as £20-25 million could secure his signature, a stark contrast to the hefty sum demanded for Guehi. For a player of Tah’s caliber, this represents extraordinary value, especially when compared to other targets like Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, who would likely command a higher fee despite his own contract uncertainties.
Liverpool’s interest in Tah came as a surprise, as the Reds were initially linked with more high-profile names like Upamecano or even a potential return for Guehi. However, sources close to the club indicate that Arne Slot’s data-driven recruitment team identified Tah as a near-perfect fit for their system, particularly for his ability to complement Van Dijk and Konate. His aerial prowess would add a new dimension to Liverpool’s defense, while his experience in high-stakes matches, including the Champions League, ensures he can step in without delay.
Bayer Leverkusen’s emergence as the source of this potential transfer coup is unexpected for several reasons. The German club has traditionally been reluctant to sell their star players mid-season, especially after their historic title win. However, Tah’s contract situation has created an opportunity for Liverpool to swoop in. Leverkusen’s focus on maintaining squad harmony under Alonso, combined with their depth in defense, means they may be willing to cash in rather than risk losing Tah for nothing.
Moreover, Liverpool’s prior relationship with Leverkusen—through Alonso’s successful tenure as their manager—could facilitate negotiations. Alonso’s familiarity with Liverpool’s ethos, having played under Rafael Benitez during the club’s Champions League-winning era, might give the Reds an edge in securing Tah’s signature over other suitors, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, who have also been linked.
While Guehi remains a prime target due to his homegrown status and long-term potential, Tah offers a compelling alternative. His signing would not only address Liverpool’s immediate needs but also provide a bridge to the post-Van Dijk era. With Konate’s contract situation unresolved and Gomez’s injury concerns lingering, Tah’s reliability—he played 31 of 34 Bundesliga matches last season—makes him an ideal addition.
Furthermore, Tah’s versatility to play in a back three or four aligns perfectly with Slot’s tactical flexibility. His ability to partner Konate, with whom he shares a similar physical and technical profile, could recreate the kind of defensive solidity Liverpool enjoyed during their title-winning 2019/20 season.
Liverpool’s failure to land Guehi left a sense of “what if” hanging over the club, but Jonathan Tah’s emergence as a viable alternative has turned a setback into an opportunity. The prospect of signing a player of his quality for a fraction of Guehi’s price is a testament to Liverpool’s shrewd recruitment strategy. Whether they move for Tah in January or wait until the summer, the Reds have found a doppelgänger who could prove to be just as impactful, if not more so, given the financial savings.
As Liverpool prepare to face Crystal Palace, the irony of potentially signing a player who matches Guehi’s skill set from an unexpected source like Bayer Leverkusen will not be lost on fans. For now, Arne Slot will focus on his current squad, but the whispers of Tah’s potential arrival signal an exciting future for Liverpool’s defense.