Dortmund target Champions League spot ahead of Leverkusen clash
Alexander Straus: 'There has been great development in the last three years'
After winning the Bundesliga title, Alexander Straus, head coach of FC Bayern Munich Women, spoke of major developments during his last three years as coach at the club.
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News24
42 minutes ago
- News24
Liverpool agree mammoth club-record fee to sign Wirtz
Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116m to sign Germany star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old playmaker joins after leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2023/24. Wirtz's arrival adds to Liverpool's attacking depth, possibly prompting forward departures to fund a move for a specialist striker. Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday. British media reported that the Premier League champions would pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record. Reports in Germany suggested the potential fee could rise to 150 million euros (£127 million, $172 million). Liverpool's total spend on the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield. Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million. Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due. Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiralling costs of the whole package. Wirtz has been hailed as one of the "best in the world" by former Bayer Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Wirtz's Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong has already joined Liverpool while a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is understood to be well-advanced. Wirtz was played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying the Werkself a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Where Liverpool's record signing fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. Wirtz largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition and Liverpool might sell to free up further transfer resources, with suggestions they could sign a specialist striker.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
🚨 Wirtz set to cost much less, reports: Bayer and LFC agree on fee
The transfer poker for Florian Wirtz has been going on for weeks, but now the clubs are said to have clarified the last details. According to current consistent media reports from England and Germany, only the medical check is still standing in the way of the deal. However, the well-known transfer experts in the scene have now raised a much bigger puzzle with the details. The 'kicker' and 'Sky' reporter Florian Plettenberg report consistently that Liverpool will pay a fixed transfer fee of 130-135 million euros for Wirtz, and the sum could increase to up to 150 million euros through various bonuses. Advertisement In contrast, there are the reports from England's transfer guru David Ornstein from 'The Athletic' and the also well-informed Andy Hunter from 'The Guardian'. The two Englishmen estimate the transfer fee at "only" 100 million pounds and 16 million pounds in bonuses, which is equivalent to approximately 117.5 million euros and almost 19 million euros in bonuses. With a possible total sum of a maximum of 136.5 million euros, the Englishmen thus locate the transfer fee significantly lower than their German colleagues. If not all bonuses are achieved, the transfer could ultimately not even go through as the most expensive Bundesliga sale in history. Ousmane Dembélé currently holds this status, who switched from Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017 for 135 million euros. So, is Wirtz significantly cheaper than thought? If you believe the reports from England, Liverpool FC has managed to negotiate down the transfer fee originally demanded by Bayer Leverkusen after all. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here. 📸 Alex Grimm - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Report: Spurs urged to act fast as new boss eyes key £45m transfer move
Report: Frank Urges Spurs to Sign Tel as Transfer Talks with Bayern Loom Tottenham Hotspur are wasting no time in reshaping their future, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank reportedly set to take charge and already influencing their transfer policy. According to TEAMtalk, Frank has made clear to the Spurs hierarchy that he wants the club to sign Mathys Tel permanently, following a promising loan spell at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Advertisement This comes just weeks after Spurs lifted the Europa League trophy — their first major honour in 17 years — with a tense 1-0 win over Manchester United. Ironically, that silverware was not enough to save Ange Postecoglou's job, with Daniel Levy acting swiftly to make a change at the helm. It appears Levy now sees Frank as the man to lead Spurs into a new era, one built on high pressing, energy and, crucially, young talent like Tel. Tel's profile fits Frank's vision Frank's admiration for Tel is more than superficial. Sources close to TEAMtalk indicate that Frank values the 20-year-old's adaptability, relentless work ethic and attacking flair. Tel's direct style, described by James Maddison as that of a 'very direct player' who has 'done well', suits Frank's high-octane philosophy perfectly. Tel's technical skills and positional intelligence have already won over sections of the Spurs support. His ability to drift between the lines, burst past defenders, and apply pressure from the front is precisely the kind of forward play that defined Frank's success at Brentford. The Dane sees Tel as an ideal fit for a refreshed Tottenham frontline, potentially playing off the shoulder of a central striker or drifting inside from wide areas. Advertisement Tel's time in north London has evidently been a success. Signed on loan from Bayern Munich in January, he has grown in confidence and influence, and crucially, he is reportedly eager to extend his stay. 'Sources have told TEAMtalk that Tel himself is enthusiastic about staying at Tottenham, drawn by the club's ambitious project and the fact he has enjoyed his time in London and at the club.' Photo IMAGO Of course, sentiment alone will not finalise the transfer. Tel remains under contract at Bayern Munich, and while the Bundesliga champions are open to a sale, they are reportedly ready to drive a hard bargain. Spurs currently hold a £45million purchase option, but sources suggest that negotiations are already in motion to reduce that fee. Daniel Levy, well known for his tough negotiating style, will likely seek to trim the cost while leveraging Tel's settled position in London. Advertisement Tottenham are hoping that Tel's desire to stay — and his willingness to work under Frank — could tip the scales. For now, there's cautious optimism within the club that a deal can be struck. Strengthening for the Champions League push Tottenham's ambitions for next season are clear. With Champions League football secured via their Europa League triumph, the club are aiming for a more consistent domestic campaign, and the retention of talents like Tel could play a pivotal role in that mission. Frank's early push for Tel suggests he views the Frenchman as a cornerstone for his tactical rebuild. Given the uncertainty surrounding other attacking targets such as Bryan Mbeumo, and with Spurs also linked to alternatives at Everton and Crystal Palace, locking down a proven internal option might be the most pragmatic move. Advertisement In a market flooded with inflated prices and speculative talent, Tel offers Tottenham both continuity and potential. And with Frank eager to get started, sealing this deal swiftly could be the first significant step in defining the new Spurs era. Photo: IMAGO Our View – EPL Index Analysis From a Spurs fan's viewpoint, the pursuit of Mathys Tel is not just a sensible move — it's a vital one. At just 20, Tel has already shown he has the tools to be an important contributor in a team that's about to embark on a Champions League campaign. His performances since January have been promising, even electrifying at times. We've seen players come in on loan and fade, but Tel has done the opposite. He's grown. Advertisement Thomas Frank's desire to retain Tel only adds to the optimism. The Danish manager's attacking football at Brentford was thrilling, and his emphasis on intelligent pressing and positional interchange is a breath of fresh air. Tel fits that system, and crucially, he wants to be here. Supporters are used to transfer sagas dragging on, especially under Levy's watch, but this is one deal that needs early closure. If Tel is happy, Frank is keen and the price is negotiable, why wait? Securing Tel sends a message — that this rebuild isn't just talk. It's action. We've waited 17 years for silverware. Let's not wait another 17 to build on it.
