Bayer Leverkusen: Mega departures after a dream season-what now?

Bayer Leverkusen: Mega departures after a dream season-what now?

Hadern, Deutschland - Bayer Leverkusen is at the beginning of a new chapter after an outstanding season. The club recently lost several key players, which makes many fans and experts listen. The most exciting is the change from Florian Wirtz to Liverpool FC, for which up to 150 million euros should flow. This is not only a record for the association, but also one of the highest fees in Bundesliga history. According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also loses his popular coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

Despite these departures, those responsible for the association are optimistic. Sports Managing Director Simon Rolfes emphasized that changes are necessary and that the team has successfully mastered large upheavals in the past. Departures such as Kai Havertz, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby have always been compensated for. And even now those responsible are looking at newcomers such as Alejandro Grimaldo and Nathan Tella, who have made a significant contribution to success in the 2023/24 season.

reinforcements and departures

The list of departures is getting longer: In addition to Wirtz and Alonso, Jonathan Tah and Jeremie Frimpong are no longer part of the team. Rumors say that Granit Xhaka could also leave the club shortly, possibly to AC Milan. The 32-year-old Swiss was crucial for the championship title and could be the next well-known player who is looking for the vastness. Milan has already shown great interest in Xhaka, who has drawn attention to himself last season with the second highest number of ball campaigns and passports, such as The Football Faithful reported.

A secret race seems to be in progress. AC Milan plans a formal request after Tijjani Reijnders switched to Manchester City. In addition to Milan, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and the former Club FC Basel also signaled interest. So Rolfes could soon be faced with another challenge: How do you compensate for the loss of Xhaka, which was not only shone in the Bundesliga, but also a proud bearer of two goals and seven assists last season?

new trainers, new horizons

With the new trainer Erik Ten HAG, Bayer Leverkusen also enters fresh terrain. His goal: the Champions League. Ten HAG brings fresh ideas and is convinced of the potential that slumbers in the team. Leverkusen's management is also planning to capture defenseers such as Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapié, while the transfer from Jarell Quansah is about to be completed.

The young talents who come to the team are particularly exciting: Axel Tape and Ibrahim Maza have already signed their contracts. In addition, the experienced goalkeeper Mark Flekken joins, whose obligation is broader the defensive. The squad planning for the coming season seems to be in full swing. A good mix of established players and young hot sports could become the key to another successful year.

transfer balance sheet

What about the transfer balance in recent years? Bayer Leverkusen has a deficit of 21.65 million euros in the past five years. For comparison: In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich's transfer balance sheets with a loss of 64.65 million euros are striking. So Leverkusen has beaten up relatively well, but the upcoming departures are a new challenge that needs to be mastered in order to remain competitive in the future.

Overall, it remains to be seen how Bayer Leverkusen will beat in this uncertain time. The fans are looking forward to the upcoming transfers and the new trainer to take over the helm. The pressure is high, because after all, the success of last season should not remain a unique experience.