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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen prospect Francis receives loan out to Bochum
The 18-year-old who became Bayer Leverkusen's eighth youngest professional this year will receive a chance to hone his skills in the 2. Bundesliga next season. Germany U18 international Francis Onyeka received a contract extension (through 2028) and loan out to VfL Bochum on Tuesday. Onyeka made two first-team appearances with Leverkusen this season in the DFB Pokal and Champions League. The versatile attacker – who has proven himself capable of playing at the six, eight, and ten positions – won the Fritz Walter Medal as the greatest talent in the DFB's U-17 division after 2023/24 season. He reached the final of the German A-Junior Championship with Leverkusen's U19 team this year. Advertisement 'Francis Onyeka has developed into an outstanding player in Bayer 04's youth ranks in recent years,' Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes noted in a club statement. 'He will continue to improve in Bochum through regular appearances at a high level. VfL gets a great talent who can then make the step up to a player with excellent opportunities at Bayer 04.' '[Onyeka is] one of the most talented players of his age group in Germany and has had an exceptional season,' Bochum sporting director Dirk Dufner added in his own statement. 'His technical skills and attacking instincts caught our attention, especially as he has already been able to acclimate to a high training level and playing with the pros and has also taken on responsibility as captain of the U19 team.' 'I've always been impressed by the atmosphere [in Bochum],' Onyeka himself said. 'I hope I can convince and get as much playing time as possible. The 2. Bundesliga is physically demanding and it will be a real challenge.' GGFN | Peter Weis
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool learn Bayer Leverkusen's view on Wirtz transfer after second rejection
Liverpool have made Florian Wirtz one of their main summer transfer targets but the Premier League club have yet to meet Bayer Leverkusen's asking price for the star Bayer Leverkusen still expect Florian Wirtz to join Liverpool despite rejecting two offers, it has been claimed. The Reds' second bid still fell short of Leverkusen's £126million asking price, but they remain in pole position to get a deal over the line. Liverpool have already signed one of Leverkusen's 2023-24 double-winning stars, with Jeremie Frimpong completing a £29.5million switch. They continue to lead the way over Germany playmaker Wirtz, too, despite Bayern Munich previously looking like front-runners. According to Bild, Leverkusen higher-ups don't consider the move to be in jeopardy. The same publication reports that Liverpool and Wirtz have already agreed terms, with the transfer fee the only remaining obstacle. A players-plus cash deal could still be one solution, while another option is a bid which will only hit Leverkusen's valuations if bonuses are triggered. Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah are among those being touted if the German club get a player as part of the transfer. Whatever happens, Liverpool are expected to pay more than the £84m including add-ons which it took to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica. Wirtz is expected to sign a contract until 2030 when the Anfield switch is formalised. Wirtz's former Germany team-mate Toni Kroos has been left surprised by his compatriot's transfer decision. 'It was just obvious to everyone that he was going to Bayern,' Kroos said in May. 'I didn't know that, and in my old way, I didn't believe it (that he would reject Bayern for Liverpool) at first when someone wrote that. Leverkusen's negotiations over Wirtz, and how they spend the money raised by the sale of the Germany star, could have a huge bearing on how Erik ten Hag's first season at the BayArena pans out. Former Manchester United boss Ten Hag has been confirmed as the German club's new manager, taking the reins after Xabi Alonso's departure for Real Madrid. "Our ideas of football coincide," sporting director Simon Rolfes said. "With technically demanding and dominant football, we want to carry on in the Werkself style and aim for the highest targets in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League." Wirtz and Frimpong aren't the only members of Alonso's squad set to leave before Ten Hag takes charge of his first competitive game. Centre-back Jonathan Tah, who spent the last decade at Leverkusen, has joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer. 'In Jonathan Tah we've acquired a player with international experience and quality, who won't need much time to establish himself in our defence," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said. "He'll be a good and important addition for us with his technical qualities as well as his manner and the way he leads.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Real Madrid considering move for midfielder after Toni Kroos recommendation
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso gave away next to nothing on his return to the club on Monday when it came to his plans for the side, or the signings he was keen to make. However one of the key priorities for Los Blancos this summer is a controlling presence in midfield, with the absence of Toni Kroos still being felt. The exit of Luka Modric will weaken Alonso's options still further, albeit he does still have Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde at his disposal. Yet Ceballos is the only one who tends to base their game on directing the game. Hence the midfield will be the next item on the agenda after their defensive reinforcements are wrapped up. Real Madrid interest in Angelo Stiller One of a number of names that has been linked to Los Blancos is Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, who has been a standout in the Bundesliga in recent seasons. He also impressed at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League this season, and Marca say Real Madrid are weighing up a move for him. Image via Ronald Wittek / EPA They feel he has the work-rate and quality required from their summer signings, rather than providing star power. Stiller also comes recommended by Toni Kroos, which is no small reference for an employer. Nico Paz move is independent from Stiller deal Los Blancos are also weighing up whether to exercise an €8m buyback option on Como's Nico Paz ahead of the Club World Cup. Paz has had an impressive debut season in Serie A, but the same outlet explain that this move has little impact on Real Madrid's pursuit of Stiller, or a similar profile. Stiller teammates suggest Real Madrid move After winning the DFB Pokal, Stuttgart were celebrating in the streets, and Stiller was seen in the back of a convertible with teammates Deniz Undav and Atakan Karazor. They were asked if they would be at the club next season, and Undav confirmed he and Karazor would be but 'him maybe not', referring to Stiller. This was then followed up a shout of 'Hala Madrid'.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Date set for Jonathan Tah's Bayern Munich medical
A date has been set for Jonathan Tah's (29) Bayern Munich medical, according to a report by Kicker. Last week, it was reported that Tah had reached an agreement to join Bayern Munich, signing a contract until 2029, ending his 10-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen. Advertisement Tah will undergo his medical before joining up with the German national team ahead of the UEFA Nations League finals. As reported by Get German Football News earlier, Bayern wish to sign the central-defender before June 30 in order to include the player in their squad for the Club World Cup in June. However, because Tah's contract runs until June 30, Kicker report that it's unclear as to whether Bayern would have to pay a transfer fee. Jonathan Tah's arrival strengthens Bayern Munich defence The arrival of Tah would significantly strengthen Vincent Kompany's defence following the departure of Eric Dier to AS Monaco and injuries to both Dayot Upamecano and Hiroki Ito leaving Kim Min-jae as the only central-defender at the club. Tah featured in 49 games across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season, and played a key role in the club's unbeaten domestic campaign which saw Xabi Alonso's side lift the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal, as well as going unbeaten in Europe until the Europa League final against Atalanta, eventually losing 3-0. GGFN | Daniel Pinder
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Xabi Alonso's first message to fans after taking over as Real Madrid manager
Xabi Alonso's first message to fans after taking over as Real Madrid manager On Sunday, Real Madrid finally made the announcement that Xabi Alonso will be the new first-team manager, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. The 43-year-old legendary midfielder returns to the Santiago Bernabeu after excelling during his stint at Bayer Leverkusen where he won the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal, and the German Super Cup. Alonso's first message to fans Following the official announcement on Sunday, Alonso arrived at Real Madrid facilities today where he signed his contract with president Florentino Perez and posed for pictures before being presented as the new manager. Advertisement Soon after, the club legend sent his first message to the Madridistas having taken over the reins of the team. 'Hello, Real Madrid fans! I'm here. Very happy to begin this new era, full of enthusiasm and energy. I send you all my best. Hala Madrid!' The presentation ceremony began with the screening of a compilation video of Alonso's best moments with Real Madrid, followed by clips of his successful stint as Leverkusen manager. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez then welcomed Alonso with a touching speech, following which the Spanish tactician addressed those present at the presentation ceremony. Advertisement 'Good morning. Without a doubt, for me, it's a very special day. A day I'll mark on my calendar for life. I'm very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home,' he said, via RMTV. Continuing, he added: 'The connection with Real Madrid has never ceased to exist, and since I walked into Valdebebas an hour and a half ago, that feeling has been reborn. I have the feeling that this is the beginning of a new era.' 'Florentino, thank you very much for your confidence. I feel that the fans, that Real Madrid fans, are excited to begin this new era, to grow and to make the history of this club even greater. Thanks also to my family, who are the ones who always support me.'
