Latest news with #FernandoCarro
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Leverkusen reject second Liverpool bid for Wirtz
Germany's Florian Wirtz (C) takes part in a training session of the German national soccer team, ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Nations League semi-final soccer match against Portugal. Daniel Karmann/dpa Bayer Leverkusen have rejected a second offer from English champions Liverpool for Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, top football magazine Kicker reported on Monday. The second bid is said to have consisted of a fixed sum of €118 million ($134 million) plus €12 million in bonus payments. In the first round of negotiations, Kicker said Liverpool offered €100 million plus €15 million in additional payments. Advertisement Leverkusen executives are hoping for the €150 million managing director Fernando Carro publicly mentioned as a minimum sum last year. Reports say Bayern Munich and Manchester City dropped out of the race partly due to the high fee for the 22-year-old. To bridge the gap of around €20 million, Kicker said more talks will take place, with a player possibly being included in the deal. Reports say Leverkusen are interested in Liverpool's Harvey Elliott or defender Jarell Quansah. Wirtz's contract with the 2024 Bundesliga champions and this season's runners-up lasts until June 2027 and does not include a release clause.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen become first Bundesliga club to open academy in Brazil
The academy will be run by club legend Paulo Sergio and built on the Bayer Brazil campus in Sao Paulo, with space for up to 300 children between the ages of five and 15. With the academy set to open on July 5th, Sergio said that: 'Bayer Leverkusen is the perfect club in Europe for young talents who dream of becoming top players. Integration and training are core values of the club. I came to Leverkusen as a young player, and what I experienced there turned me into a top player and world champion.' Advertisement The former Leverkusen forward made 121 appearances for die Werkself between the years between the years of 1993 and 1997. Also speaking on the opening of the academy, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said that: 'The opening of our own football academy in Brazil is another milestone in our internationalisation strategy.' 'Bayer 04 and Brazil have had a very special connection for a long time. With the Bayer 04 football academy in Sao Paulo, we plan to inspire and support the next generation of footballers and Bayer 04 fans, while strengthening our ties with this football-loving country and working closely with our Bayer family in Brazil and Latin America.'
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Liverpool open Florian Wirtz transfer talks with Leverkusen
Liverpool have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of playmaker Florian Wirtz. Communications between the two clubs had already been opened after an agreement was reached for Liverpool to sign right-back Jeremie Frimpong. Any move for the 22-year-old would represent a club record signing for Liverpool and would also make Wirtz the most expensive ever German player Advertisement On Friday, The Athletic reported Bayern Munich believed Wirtz would not join them this summer as he was on track for a move to Anfield, having been a transfer target for the German champions. Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said in April Wirtz had a 'very high chance' of staying at the club this summer, but The Athletic reported earlier this month that Liverpool had made contact with the player's representatives after holding a long-standing interest in acquiring the attacking midfielder. Wirtz signed a new contract with Leverkusen in 2022, extending his terms until 2027. He went on to become one of Europe's greatly coveted talents, after being named Bundesliga's Player of the Season in 2023-24 after helping Xabi Alonso's side to an unbeaten domestic campaign and a maiden Bundesliga title, notching 18 goals and 20 assists. The 22-year-old went on to register 16 goals and 15 assists this term, as Leverkusen finished 13 points behind Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, while becoming a regular feature for Germany, making 29 appearances since making his senior debut in 2021. Wirtz scored twice in five matches for Julian Nagelsmann's side at the 2024 European Championship. Wirtz told Sports Illustrated in May he is 'definitely keen' to 'experience something new,' having completed six consecutive seasons at Leverkusen since joining from Cologne in 2020. The playmaker could be one of three key departures for Leverkusen this summer. The Athletic reported earlier in May that wing-back Frimpong was set to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move to Liverpool, having agreed a five-year contract to join the Premier League champions following the upcoming departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, head coach Xabi Alonso announced he would depart the club at the end of the season after two-and-a-half years in charge. The Athletic reported that Alonso is Real Madrid's first-choice option to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, with the Italian becoming Brazil's head coach on May 26. Liverpool won this season's Premier League title with four matches to spare following a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in April, levelling Manchester United's record top-flight title haul (20). ()
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Liverpool receive Florian Wirtz boost with Bayern Munich believing he won't join them
Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, with Bayern Munich believing the playmaker will not be joining them and is on track for a move to Anfield if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Wirtz has been targeted by both clubs but is believed to favour Liverpool — although they would still need to agree a deal with Leverkusen, which is not a formality given the finances involved. Advertisement The 22-year-old Germany international has already visited the north west of England to look for houses to live in, should the move proceed. Wirtz is among the most sought-after attacking talents in world football, having played a key role in Leverkusen's 2023-24 Bundesliga title-winning campaign. He provided 18 goals and 20 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions and was named Bundesliga player of the season as Leverkusen went unbeaten domestically. He registered 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games this season as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga. Wirtz's Leverkusen contract runs through to 2027. The club's CEO Fernando Carro said in April that Wirtz had a 'very high chance' of staying at Leverkusen. Speaking in May, the Germany international told Sports Illustrated he was 'definitely keen' to leave his comfort zone 'at some point and 'experience something new'. Wirtz has been capped 29 times at senior level since his debut in 2021 and was part of Julian Nagelsmann's squad at the 2024 European Championship. Analysis by Mark Carey Arne Slot has most commonly used Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool's attacking midfielder in his first season as Liverpool head coach, but the Hungary international has not necessarily shown all the traits you would typically associate with a player in that position. Szoboszlai has been a crucial cog in Slot's system, but as much for his off-ball energy in and out of possession as any of his qualities with the ball at his feet. Underlapping runs have been a crucial part of Liverpool's attacking play this season, with Szoboszlai's selfless running dragging opposition defenders with him — making space for the wingers to come inside and swing in back-post crosses to an onrushing team-mate. While his selfless running is valuable, a return of five Premier League goals and six assists from 34 league appearances so far suggests there is room for improvement in Szoboszlai's attacking output — something Slot called out early on. Wirtz's basic attacking numbers are stronger, with 21 goals and 23 assists in the Bundesliga since the start of last season illustrating greater potency at the sharp end of the pitch, albeit while playing in a different league. They are different types of footballers. Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai's macro traits of energy and power. Both skill sets have their place depending on the opposition — if he joined them, Wirtz's close control and ball-carrying would add another dimension to Liverpool's attack rather than transform it. Advertisement Wirtz's ability to play anywhere across the front line would add an extra layer of versatility to Slot's tactical setup, allowing him to rotate his attacking options during and between games without any decrease in quality. Whether dropping into pockets against deep blocks, pulling wide to evade his marker, or carrying the ball upfield single-handedly, Wirtz can do a bit of everything. Slot's first season has seen Liverpool scoring through their wide players rather than depending on a centre-forward. Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market. Given his youth, he could also help Liverpool prepare for life after Salah, who turns 33 next month. ()
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen director speaks out on Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool claims - 'Surprised me'
Bayer Leverkusen managing director Fernando Carro has insisted that he knows nothing about a possible move to Liverpool for wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, despite the rumor mill going into overdrive in the last 24 to 48 hours. Frimpong, who was previously at Manchester City and Celtic and would arrive as a homegrown player because he mainly grew up in England, has a release clause thought to be set at $39 million (£30 million). But Carro says no move is imminent. "Jeremie Frimpong has a long contract with us," he told the German outlet Sport. "Although he also has an exit clause, we are currently not aware of any change. READ MORE: When Liverpool can sign Jeremie Frimpong as Premier League transfer window just days away READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Jeremie Frimpong advanced, Rayan Cherki talks, Dean Huijsen latest "The rumors also surprised me a bit when I started in the football business seven years ago. Gradually I'm there for a longer time, there are always different interested parties, there are different parties, there are different relationships. "It's actually very difficult to get where the rumors come from. But I have to say there are many which really surprise me." There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story as they happen. Follow @Liverpoolcom_ : The official account for all the latest sports news as it happens in real time. Follow us on Facebook or visit homepage.
