Latest news with #Bundesliga-winning
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brentford ‘Agree Deal' with Bundesliga Side Over Summer Move
Mark Flekken Nears Bayer Leverkusen Move as Brentford Weigh Up Replacement According to Sky Sports, Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken. The 31-year-old, who arrived in West London only last summer, is now expected to join forces with Erik ten Hag in Germany. Advertisement This move marks a swift turn in Brentford's goalkeeping plans, and although Flekken endured a mixed debut season in the Premier League, he remained a key figure for Thomas Frank's side. Flekken Departure Signals Busy Summer Ahead 'Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford for the transfer of goalkeeper Mark Flekken,' reported Sky in Germany, a move that underlines Leverkusen's intent to strengthen further following their unbeaten Bundesliga-winning campaign. Photo IMAGO Flekken, previously with Freiburg, had his moments at Brentford, combining solid shot-stopping with assured distribution. Yet, questions over his command of the box and a few high-profile errors led to speculation about his long-term future. With Brentford finishing in the bottom half and conceding 65 goals, it's no surprise the club are looking to retool. Advertisement His departure also reunites him with Erik ten Hag, who is reportedly set to take the reins at Leverkusen following Xabi Alonso's exit. The link between Dutch football's modern guard continues to shape transfers across Europe. Kelleher Topping Brentford's Replacement List With Flekken's exit all but sealed, Brentford have already turned to Liverpool in search of a replacement. Sky Sports News reports that, 'Brentford have approached Liverpool for Caoimhin Kelleher as a potential replacement for Flekken.' Kelleher, valued at £20 million, has long been viewed as the best No.2 in the league. His cool temperament and clean distribution have impressed in limited opportunities behind Alisson Becker. But the 26-year-old now craves first-team football — and Brentford could offer that platform. Advertisement However, the Bees are not alone in their pursuit. 'They face competition from West Ham and Leeds for the 26-year-old,' Sky Sports adds. All three clubs are in need of a reliable keeper, and Liverpool's valuation reflects both his pedigree and potential. Brentford's Strategic Challenge Brentford's recruitment model has long been admired for its data-driven, forward-thinking approach. Replacing Flekken will be less about reputation and more about tactical fit — and if Kelleher is the profile they want, they may need to act decisively in what's becoming a competitive market. They must also weigh the cost. Spending £20 million on a goalkeeper is a significant outlay for a club like Brentford, even if the investment is for a long-term No.1. Photo: IMAGO Leverkusen's Project Gains Momentum Meanwhile, Flekken becomes a part of a growing Leverkusen project that shows no signs of slowing down. With a new manager incoming and Champions League football secured, the German side are positioning themselves as more than a one-season story. Advertisement In Flekken, they gain experience, Bundesliga familiarity, and a goalkeeper who thrives in a passing system, all vital as they look to consolidate their success. Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Brentford fans, Flekken's exit doesn't come as a total shock, but it does leave a gap that must be filled quickly and smartly. Flekken had his critics, but he also had moments of quality. His distribution allowed Brentford to build from the back, and he played a vital role in Thomas Frank's system. That said, inconsistency was always a concern. Losing him to Leverkusen may actually be a chance to upgrade in goal. Advertisement The links to Kelleher are exciting. Here's a goalkeeper who's been learning from the best at Liverpool and who deserves to be a starter. He's agile, composed, and has Champions League experience under his belt. However, £20 million is steep. For a club like Brentford, every investment needs to hit, and Kelleher would need to deliver from day one. What's clear is that the club must act fast. With pre-season looming and a competitive market for keepers, standing still won't be an option. The Flekken sale is smart business, but only if the next move matches the ambition.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool and a transfer 15 years in the making
Jeremie Frimpong's first taste of life in England was not easy. He was six years old when he came to live in a council house in Moston, a suburb north-east of Manchester. He came with his brothers and sisters — he is the fifth of seven children — and mother Bernice, who had recently separated from Jeremie's father, Jeffrey. Advertisement It must have felt a long way from Amsterdam, the Dutch capital where he had grown up. He borrowed boots and hitched lifts to play for local club Clayton, all the while motivated by incentives from his big brother, also called Jeffrey. Liverpool were interested in offering him a trial back then, but the distance from his home was an obstacle so it was Manchester City — who had scouted him as a prolific nine-year-old striker — who won the race to sign him, almost by default. Now 15 years later, Liverpool have finally got their man, having triggered a €35million (£29.6m;$39.3m) release clause — a modest sum that made the deal even more appealing to Anfield executives — to bring the attacking right-back to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal. Frimpong always envisaged another crack at football in England and returns as an elite talent: a league title winner in two countries, a senior Dutch international and the man carrying the family name with pride. When the 24-year-old made history as part of Bayern Leverkusen's Bundesliga-winning side last year after joining in 2021 from Celtic, he told those in his inner circle his success was only made possible by their input. The same message follows his move to Anfield and his infectious personality will soon be felt in a new dressing room. The Athletic has spoken to multiple sources, some of whom wish to remain anonymous to protect their positions, to understand how Frimpong became one of Europe's most coveted talents and who, exactly, Liverpool are signing. It is a footballer origin story that veers dangerously close to cliche — the kid so besotted with the sport that he once sent an errant shot into the front room and smashed the television. In Frimpong's case, however, the anecdote is true and not surprising to anyone who knew him as a child growing up kicking 'anything that resembled a football'. Advertisement Every Saturday he would turn out for Clayton in the morning and nearby Clayton Villa in the afternoon, scoring regularly for both teams and showing off his explosive pace. 'He drifted past players like they weren't even there,' coach Paul Sneddon told The Athletic in 2020, adding that a running joke between parents and other observers was that he was too fast for his own body so he would often collapse onto the turf simply by losing his balance. 'I think he scored 50 goals in his second season with us but he would have scored 100 if he didn't fall over,' Sneddon said. 'But it was clear from the start that he had the natural ability to go on to greater things.' Moving to City was the big breakthrough. Geography ruled out Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers. Instead, Bernice would jump on three buses in between working two jobs as a cleaner, to make sure Jeremie got to City training at their old Carrington headquarters — located on the other side of Manchester — on time. Initially there was some scepticism over whether Frimpong would make it at the top level. Some wondered whether he was too small, even as a right midfielder, but when he needed to impress as he stepped up from the 'shadow team' into the academy, the player nicknamed 'Speedy Gonzales' by some of City's senior players put in performances that could not be ignored. His brother, Aaron, was a significant figure at the time, helping him get where he needed to be as Jeffrey and Bernice were called away on work commitments. Jeremie was promoted rapidly through the City youth teams, winning a trophy with the under-18s and making the squad for FA Youth Cup finals in 2017 and 2019. 'He was excellent and probably the fastest player I've ever coached,' Paul Harsley, who was the Under-23 team coach at City between 2018-2020, tells The Athletic. Advertisement 'He was so versatile and if ever he was caught out of position, his speed would help him recover and then flying forward he was also a massive asset.' Late in 2018, the Netherlands sent representatives to watch a number of City's Dutch players in the under-23s. The country's under-19 coach and former goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, visited to watch two other City youngsters, Rodney Kongolo and Javairo Dilrosun, but the club's academy director, Jason Wilcox — now the technical director of Manchester United — said Frimpong was also eligible and should be considered. 'It was just before the scouting data systems were fully up and running so we didn't know that he had both a Ghanaian and Dutch passport,' Stekelenburg tells The Athletic. 'Straight away I found him interesting. I loved his character and his energy. He was a guy who was very friendly and open-minded, which is fantastic for a coach. He was also very fast. Not very composed, initially, but a great player to have in the team.' Frimpong had clear talent but at right-back he was behind Lutsharel Geertruida and his future Leverkusen team-mate Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who later joined Manchester United, in the Dutch under-19 set up. The right-winger, Mohamed Ihattaren, carried the most hope for that particular age group and further restricted his pathway. Frimpong was also hampered by his inability to speak Dutch, so coaches had to spend a little extra time relaying tactical instructions even though most of his team-mates helped translate into English. 'Many of the players had started with the national team at a younger age and even though we had a good group, you have to be a strong character to survive,' Stekelenburg adds. 'Jeremie was never lost in the group, though. He's not shy and he easily adapts to a new environment.' Frimpong's strong Christian faith quickly helped him connect with other like-minded players in the team. In times of struggle in his earlier years the church was a big support to the player and his family. It was often an escape from the struggles of everyday life and in the good times that have since followed, those tougher times have never been forgotten. Blessed to be handed the opportunity to feature in City's academy teams, Frimpong was still one of many players who never played a minute in the first team. The closest he came was a handful of appearances in the EFL Trophy, where he played for City's under-21s. Instead, his first taste of senior football came in Scotland. Celtic became aware of his availability when the former Reading and West Bromwich Albion technical director, Nick Hammond, joined the Glasgow club in a recruitment consultancy role and eventually became head of football operations, overseeing all transfers. Hammond spoke at length with Andy Thorn, the former Wimbledon, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace centre-back who was scouting for Celtic at the time and passionately endorsed the move. Celtic played City in a pre-season friendly game and the manager Neil Lennon, who had been pre-warned about the interest, was immediately impressed. Advertisement 'I remember Lennon coming over to me and asking about Jezza,' Harsley recalls. 'He was doing his thing, playing well, and had been training, like many of the others, with the first team from time to time. Moving to Celtic when he did was perfect and helped him really take off.' Frimpong duly signed a four-year contract in September 2019. Club officials can remember the way that he looked up at the stadium with wide-eyed excitement when he joined. Celtic's strategy of signing young players from reputable English academies was a risk, but Frimpong became the stand-out success story. He was supposed to supplement the squad as back-up in his first season but instead became a leading force, helping Celtic win a domestic treble. His numbers were not astronomical — in the space of 18 months he set up eight goals and scored three himself — but arguably more significant was how he won the respect of senior players such as the captain, Scott Brown, through his performances and intensity in training. In his first taste of senior football it became clear that pace and recovery speed would set him up well for a career as a versatile right-back. He learned how to become efficient in attacking areas by not over-playing and listened carefully to instructions on how to improve. Some people who worked at Celtic felt he was a little immature for his age, but his kind and genuine nature won many admirers off the pitch and again he had no trouble settling into a new group. Midway through his second season, it was already clear that Frimpong was unlikely to be extending his stay in Scotland. Bayer Leverkusen made their interest known and secured him for £11.5m in the January 2021 transfer window. It represented a healthy profit on the modest £350,000 fee Celtic had paid to Manchester City, which on the face of it represented fantastic business. However some figures connected to the club still felt it was too low given his potential to improve. Advertisement It is easy to say they were right now, given Frimpong's subsequent achievements, yet Celtic cashed in when they recognised he was already focusing on the next stage of his career at a club in one of Europe's top five leagues. Full backs rarely move from the Scottish Premiership for such transfer fees and Celtic will also receive a significant windfall of up to £6million from his switch from Leverkusen to Liverpool, having inserted a clause to receive a percentage of the profit on his next move. Leverkusen mapped out a pathway for his future, explaining how he could become a regular international through his performances in the Bundesliga. There was a focus on building a young and hungry team capable of returning to the Champions League after a season out of it and, although Frimpong only played 10 league games in his first half-season, the team qualified for Europe's elite competition by finishing third. Two years later, and under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso, who Frimpong says 'always knew how to use my abilities', he was a key member of the title-winning team and became one of the most in-demand right-backs in Europe, with 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions. No longer a newbie but now an established fixture and the heartbeat of all off-field activities — he regularly welcomed team-mates to his home and organised other social events — it felt like all the hard work had paid off. Ending Bayern Munich's 11-year title reign and completing the mission with a series of vital stoppage-time strikes only added to the emotion. To become a record-breaker at such a young age and rid the club of their 'Neverkusen' tag with a first league title in their 120-year history was overwhelming and stirred memories from his younger years. When Frimpong was new to City, Bernice used to perk him up with takeaway meals of chicken and chips to make the three-bus ride home from training more enjoyable. Those doubts bubbled up again after he joined Celtic, and he questioned whether leaving his home in Manchester was the right move. Then, when he was settled in Scotland, he once again jumped out of his comfort zone to move to a new country and push himself further. Like on so many other occasions that had spoken to his bravery and willingness to take risks and after working through different systems, understanding that a rise to the top is a staggered process, here he was enjoying the fruits of that labour. There is still a sense the best is yet to come both for club and country. Frimpong was part of the Netherlands' 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar but did not feature in the tournament. He was used sparingly in the Euros last summer but starred in the unfortunate penalty shootout defeat by Spain in the Nations League quarter-final in March where he played every minute of both legs in a sign of his growing importance to the team. Advertisement 'I learned very early not to put a sticker on a player when they are young because an important quality is to be a good character and have a hard-working mentality,' says Stekelenburg, who became assistant manager of the Netherlands between 2019-2021. 'Jeremie has both and now he has a really big advantage in that he will play for a coach at his club who really suits his style. Arne (Slot) will know that he has a right-winger (Mohamed Salah) in front of him who likes to cut in, so that will suit Jeremie when he goes on the outside. It's going to be a real benefit for him.' Frimpong is passionate and consistent in his message that he's a right-back who can defend and attack. He works with personal coaches off the pitch to get tailored feedback across areas such as positioning, defending and tactical analysis. He also leans on the assistance of an attacking coach to maximise his output and will soon be working alongside one of the brightest thinkers in Slot as Liverpool look to build on this season's title win. He will bring a spark off the field, too, given his enthusiasm for music, fashion, anime and charitable causes that should appeal to Liverpool fans and commercial partners. Filling the boots of Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be easy, but there is a belief from those who know him best that Anfield's stage is where he will shine. (Top image: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
Business Upturn
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Wirtz to Liverpool getting closer and closer; check out this statement from Bayern's President
Florian Wirtz is getting closer and closer to join Liverpool as the agreement is about to be reached between the parties. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 24, 2025, 19:59 IST Last updated May 24, 2025, 20:09 IST Florian Wirtz is getting closer and closer to join Liverpool as the agreement is about to be reached between the parties. Bayern Munich's president latest statement has confirmed the news about the player's desire. Bayern feel that they have missed out on one of the important players as the player also have a desire to play for Liverpool. Liverpool are on the verge of securing one of the biggest transfers of the summer, with Florian Wirtz reportedly set to join the Premier League giants. An agreement between the Reds and Bayer Leverkusen is said to be imminent, marking a significant coup for Arne Slot's side. Bayern Munich's president has all but confirmed the 21-year-old's decision to snub a move to the Bundesliga champions. 'Florian Wirtz has decided to join Liverpool, it's true,' the Bayern chief admitted in a recent statement, acknowledging the club's failure to land one of Germany's brightest talents. Wirtz has been a standout performer for Leverkusen, playing a crucial role in their Bundesliga-winning campaign. His creativity, vision, and composure on the ball have made him one of the most sought-after young forwards in Europe. Sources close to the player suggest Wirtz has long admired Liverpool and sees the Premier League as the ideal stage to elevate his game. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Jurgen Klopp comment speaks volumes as Liverpool set up Florian Wirtz meeting
Liverpool are looking to cement their place at the summit of English football by signing Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz, and are prepared to break their transfer record to do so Liverpool could be in pole position to sign Florian Wirtz if Jurgen Klopp's past comments are anything to go by. The Reds are reportedly locked in a transfer tug-of-war with Bayern Munich, after Manchester City opted to pull out of the race for the 22-year-old midfielder. Bayer Leverkusen have slapped a hefty €150million (£126m) price tag on Wirtz, meaning Liverpool must shatter their transfer record to bring him to Anfield. Nonetheless, it looks like they're seriously considering doing so. According to Bild, Liverpool chief executive Michael Edwards is set to meet with club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) in the US this week to seek approval for an official move for the Germany international. He plans to explain why Wirtz is so special and make the case for a record-breaking investment. This news will no doubt excite Liverpool supporters, particularly given Klopp's previous assessment of Edwards. Speaking shortly before his departure last year, Klopp described Edwards as "not dumb" and implied that he wouldn't waste time approaching the owners unless he believed there was a genuine chance of convincing them. "Michael and I, we always had a really good relationship," Klopp told the club's official website."I'm really happy he's back... Michael is a top choice." When asked if Edwards, who re-joined the club in 2024, had tried to persuade him to stay, Klopp replied: "No, because - and [this] is very important in the job - he is not dumb. It's not a subject to talk about." Edwards, who served as Liverpool's sporting director between 2016 and 2022, played a pivotal role in assembling the squad that delivered Champions League and Premier League triumphs in 2019 and 2020, signing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Fabinho. He's been spearheading Liverpool's pursuit of Wirtz, who has been sensational form of late, having scored 16 goals and notched 15 assists in all competitions for Leverkusen this season. He was also instrumental in their historic Bundesliga-winning campaign last year, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists. But despite Liverpool's ambitious plans, Bayern Munich are reportedly "certain" they will win the race for Wirtz. The German giants have identified the playmaker as a transfer priority and are willing to do whatever it takes to bring him to the Allianz Arena, including waiting until 2026 to land him. Bayern have a long-standing reputation for poaching top talent from domestic rivals - a trend that has shaped their dominance in German football. While their last major Bundesliga acquisition was Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig in 2021, their history includes marquee signings such as Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Benjamin Pavard, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, and Mario Gotze. Manchester City were initially seen as strong contenders for Wirtz, with the German viewed by many as a natural successor to the departing Kevin De Bruyne. However, the club are understood to have withdrawn from the race due to financial concerns. With Leverkusen demanding £126m, and the total package - including wages, agent fees, and bonuses - potentially exceeding £250m, City deemed the deal financially unviable. They've since shifted their focus to more cost-effective alternatives, including Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders. Liverpool - who are on the verge of signing Wirtz's Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong - will no doubt weigh similar financial factors. However, having secured new contracts for both Salah and Van Dijk, the Reds have alleviated some of their squad-building pressures - allowing them to channel more of their transfer budget toward a marquee signing like Wirtz. Should they succeed in landing the player, it would mark a bold statement of intent for this new era at Liverpool - an emphatic signal that, even in the post-Klopp landscape, Anfield remains a destination for Europe's elite, and that the Reds remain a force to be reckoned with both on and off the pitch.
Business Upturn
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Jeremie Frimpong close to becoming Liverpool's first signing of the summer
Jeremie Frimpong and Liverpool FC are in advanced talks to agee a term over personal terms. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on May 15, 2025, 19:13 IST Jeremie Frimpong and Liverpool FC are in advanced talks to agee a term over personal terms. As Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave the club for Real Madrid, Liverpool started searching for a new right-back. The €35 million release clause is set to be triggered by Liverpool and he can become the first signing of the summer once the window opens. Liverpool FC are in advanced negotiations with Jeremie Frimpong over personal terms, as the club prepares for life after Trent Alexander-Arnold. The England international has reportedly decided to join Real Madrid, prompting the Reds to accelerate their search for a new right-back. Frimpong, who impressed with his dynamic displays for Bayer Leverkusen last season, has emerged as Liverpool's top target. The 23-year-old Dutchman played a key role in Leverkusen's Bundesliga-winning campaign, contributing with goals, assists, and relentless energy on the right flank. Liverpool are ready to trigger his €35 million release clause, which would make Frimpong their first signing of the summer once the transfer window opens. The deal is now entering its final stages, with personal terms expected to be finalised soon. If completed, Frimpong's arrival would mark a significant step in Liverpool's rebuilding process under Arne Slot, as the club looks to reinforce key positions following a period of transition. Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
