Latest news with #Leverkusen
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen reach full agreement on €10m Mark Flekken transfer
Sport Bild reports that – after rejecting an initial lowball bid for keeper Mark Flekken – Brentford have apparently opted not to engage in much of a bidding war with Bayer Leverkusen. Negotiations for the 31-year-old's return to the Bundesliga were concluded much earlier than expected. Brentford shall receive €10m in exchange for their No. 1; some €3m less than initially requested. Flekken is set to become Leverkusen's new first choice keeper; an odd development that at least keeps pace with Flekken's odd career trajectory. Leverkusen appeared to have many 'keepers of the future' over the past few years. It simply hasn't materialized for the likes of Matej Kovar, Patrick Pence, and Lennard Grill. Squad captain Lukas Hradecky (35) has long shown signs of being past his prime. Advertisement Hence, it will be the former Freiburg man who takes up the mantle between the sticks. Flekken – famously lampooned for one of football's greatest goalkeeping blunders whilst and MSV Duisburg – spent three years as a back-up (in part due to injury problems) at Freiburg before finally getting his chance as a Bundesliga starter, and later a Dutch international, in 2021 at the age of 28. A pair of successful seasons under SCF head coach Christian Streich during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns enabled him to pump his estimated market value up from €2m to €12m. Freiburg sold him to Brentford for €13m two summers ago. GGFN | Peter Weis
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ballon d'Or winner's Florian Wirtz prediction is about to come TRUE
Ballon d'Or winner's Florian Wirtz prediction is about to come TRUE German legend knew Wirtz was destined for greatness At just 22 Wirtz has the potential to go on to be the very best in the game, but his potential has been clear for a while. Legendary German midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus spoke on the Leverkusen star's ability back in 2021, when Wirtz was only 17-years-old. Advertisement 'He's 17-years-old and he's a talented midfield player. You have to watch him. He will be the second Kai Havertz,' Matthaus told the Bundesliga website. 'He will go the same way as Havertz. In a few years, we will see him play for the German national team and we'll see him play for a big, big team in Europe." Just how right Matthaus was. Wirtz appears to be on the cusp of a move to Liverpool, the most successful club in England and undoubtedly one of the biggest teams in Europe. The attacking midfielder has also played 29 times for the German national team. How good can Wirtz be? It is worth baring in mind that this comparison to Havertz came just months before the German scored in the Champions League final to secure Chelsea's second European Cup. Advertisement Although Havertz has plateaued since then, and Wirtz may have already eclipsed his compatriot, Liverpool supporters will no doubt be excited at the prospect of signing a player who has been so highly rated since such a young age. Matthaus' predictions were spot on, and since then Wirtz has won back to back Bundesliga Player of the Season awards, delivered Bayer Leverkusen their first German league title and been involved in 69 goals over the past two seasons. It will be a truly terrifying prospect for rival supporters if Wirtz does complete the move to Anfield. Lothar Matthaus has already been proven right over Wirtz, but a move to Liverpool would truly complete the World Cup winner's prediction.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen reach agreement with Brentford to sign Mark Flekken
Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Brentford to sign Mark Flekken, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg. Flekken joined Brentford in the summer of 2023 after David Raya's departure to Arsenal, and has since established himself as one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers. Advertisement No keeper in the top tier of English football made more saves than Flekken's 153 last time out – 28 more than Aaron Ramsdale in second – as he helped Brentford secure a 10th-place finish. The 31-year-old is now set for a move to Leverkusen after they agreed a €10 million deal to take him to the BayArena. Personal terms between Flekken and Leverkusen have been finalised, and the transfer is expected to be made official in the coming days, pending a medical. Flekken will relish the opportunity to play Champions League football for the first time in his career under compatriot Erik ten Hag, who has replaced Xabi Alonso. Advertisement The Dutchman made a name for himself in the Bundesliga during his time with SC Freiburg, and his impending return to Germany is a full-circle moment in his career. Brentford will be expected to move fast in their search for a replacement, and are keen on a move for Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher. Flekken may not be the only key player to depart the Gtech Community Stadium this summer. Last season's leading scorer Bryan Mbeumo is attracting interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Newcastle United. Manager Thomas Frank wanted Tottenham Hotspur, although any approach is dependent on the future of current boss Ange Postecoglou.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Premier League transfer window open today as Man Utd and Liverpool eye deals
A number of deals are expected to be announced on day one of the summer transfer window, which will be paused in 10 days' time for almost a week due to the Club World Cup The 2025 summer transfer window is open and it is set to get off to a flier with most of the Premier League 's big guns expected to complete deals in the opening days. That is predominantly on account of the controversial new Club World Cup that sees Chelsea and Manchester City head to the United States next week for a financially-lucrative month of action that many players are unhappy to be a part of. But its consequences are extending into this summer's recruitment as some clubs race to make signings so their new faces can compete. That includes Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid for £10m - despite being available for free at the end of the month. Equally several sides not competing in the CWC are getting active with Manchester United set to bring in Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m and Liverpool wrapping up a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, with Florian Wirtz potentially following right behind on the path from Leverkusen. Here are some of the big things to look out for in the first part of a two-segment window. Early moves The CWC is a driving factor but so too is the fact several of the big teams - believing they have a window to grab success after Liverpool ended City's dominance - are active immediately. Another theory is that they are all keen on adding goalscorers and the pool is very small - hence why Liam Delap is such hot property and expected to join Chelsea. Last summer the window was three weeks old before one of the traditional big six confirmed a move - but we already know Frimpong will be made official on Sunday and United's deal for Cunha could follow soon. Window pause A lull is guaranteed, however. Again as a consequence of the CWC, the window will shut on June 10 for six days before then running through to September 1's deadline. The early flurry suggests a very quiet second half of June is in store. Anfield activity Frimpong has already posed with the Liverpool shirt and his team-mate at Leverkusen, Wirtz, is the subject of a £109m bid that massively goes against the grain of how the champions have operated in the market for years. Alexander-Arnold's switch to Real will be confirmed at some point on Sunday and the £10m fee gained for letting him move a month early is handsome business. Man Utd woe If it all looks like sunshine and rainbows at Liverpool, down the East Lancs Road it is mostly misery at Old Trafford. United may be closing a deal to sign Cunha but there are set to be a series of high-profile exits, including Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and, possibly, captain Bruno Fernandes. Saudi giants Al Hilal have given him another few days to decide whether to accept a bumper pay day worth up to £200m across three years. Serious consideration is being given but Al Hilal want him in place in time for the CWC. Chelsea's chase Enzo Maresca's side are heading there no matter what and the signing of Delap for £30m from relegated Ipswich Town looks all but sealed. He had several clubs interested but should usurp Nicolas Jackson quickly. With a Champions League return and the £100m on offer for the CWC, expect another busy summer at Stamford Bridge. Arteta's final step And there could be an early signing at the Emirates too as Mikel Arteta looks to boost Arsenal from second to first. As long expected, Martin Zubimendi will join from Real Sociedad. But the need for a striker remains as pressing as ever and Viktor Gyokeres is fancied to make the switch from Sporting Lisbon, although there is long-term interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz deal to come 'in days' as Liverpool's second bid gets response
Liverpool have enjoyed a busy start to the transfer window and are looking to be active in the coming days as they continue their bid to sign Florian Wirtz Liverpool have had longer than most to focus on the summer transfer window having long since wrapped up the Premier League title. And that extra time to work in the background already appears to have paid off. The Reds have signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and even earned a fee from the sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. The Anfield side have even submitted an offer for Frimpong's former team-mate Florian Wirtz, and look set to beat Manchester City and Bayern Munich to his signature. Liverpool are set to make quite the statement ahead of Arne Slot's second season in charge of the club and have already been more active than in his first summer at the helm. Last season, only Federico Chiesa arrived as reinforcement as the Dutchman assessed his squad. And the Reds are not set to rest on their laurels with the likes of Milos Kerkez also linked with a move to the north west. Liverpool are already laying the gauntlet down to their rivals with the transfer only opening for the first time today. Bid 'not accepted' Liverpool produced a record bid of £109million in their quest to land Florian Wirtz earlier this week, but it has not be accepted by Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old Germany star has no shortage of suitors and the Bundesliga side will want to earn every penny for their talent but the Times report this stance should not prevent parties from coming to an agreement over 'the coming days. The Telegraph adds that Leverkusen are content with the fee offered but the process of negotiating how payments will be made is underway. An comprimise is expected to be found quickly. Wirtz transfer verdict Julian Nagelsmann has called on Florian Wirtz to be offered a prominent role at which ever side he moves to in the upcoming transfer window. The Germany boss wants to see the star retain the importance he earned at Leverkusen when establishing himself at his new club. Nagelsmann was asked about Wirtz's future but denied playing a role in where he should ultiately move. 'I've never told a player: 'Move here or there',' Nagelsmann said. 'What matters is that he plays and that he plays a similar role in terms of significance to the one he played in Leverkusen. We know that he's one of the best players in the world.' Liverpool lose coach Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga has been named as Ajax's new boss, after just one season working under Arne Slot. The former Everton defender was a key part of the Dutchman's staff that helped the team to the Premier League title. Heitinga has previously been linked to other coaching roles and was a target for West Brom after the exit of Carlos Corberan in December before they opted to hire Tony Mowbray. Instead the former Everton and Netherlands defender joins boyhood side Ajax after Francesco Farioli left his post after a disappoint end to the season, where they finished runners-up in the Eredivisie Heitinga started his coaching career with Ajax's youth teams in 2021 before a short spell as interim manager of the first team in 2023. In a statement, Heitinga said: "I am incredibly excited to start. The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I've been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs. "I'm ready to continue as a head coach and I'm honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax."
