Latest news with #SimonRolfes
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen boss demands 'win-win' scenario on Granit Xhaka transfer
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has issued another statement on the exit rumors surrounding Granit Xhaka. Rolfes recently suggested that the Bundesliga club was prepared to let the talismanic midfielder leave the Bundesliga for Saudi Arabia. Rolfes sounded very different at a Friday media event. 'We have big goals over the next few years,' Rolfes said from Leverkusen's training camp 'That's why a transfer can only happen if it's good for all sides. We'll have to wait and see. But our goal remains for Granit to stay with us. 'Of course, there is interest in him,' Rolfes continued whilst speaking on Xhaka, who has been linked with a move to Sunderland as well. 'We have to talk to the player to find out what his ambitions are. But one thing is clear: there would only be a transfer if it were a win-win situation. 'Our primary interest is in keeping him,' Rolfes concluded. GGFN |
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Granit Xhaka Sunderland transfer twist after Leverkusen chief sets out club stance
LEVERKUSEN sporting director Simon Rolfes says the Bundesliga club want to keep Granit Xhaka this summer, in what is a fresh twist in Sunderland's pursuit of the midfielder. The Black Cats made contact with Leverkusen at the start of this week after identifying the 32-year-old as a midfield target, and after initial talks sources in Germany now say the Premier League club have tabled an opening bid. But fresh reports from Bild today claim Leverkusen want €20m for Xhaka, who still has three years left to run on his current contract with the club. And Rolfes says Leverkusen will only sanction the midfielder's exit if "it's a win-win situation" for the German club. He said: "Granit is a very important player for us – for the team and for the club. Our main interest is to keep him. "Sure, there is interest in him, we need to talk to the player to find out what his ambitions are. "But one thing is clear: a transfer would only happen if it was a win-win situation." RECOMMENDED READING: Sunderland's players excited by 'big changes' behind the scenes The 33 players selected for Sunderland's Portugal trip - and who has missed out Rolfes added: "We still have three years left on the player's contract and are very happy with him. "We have big goals for the next few years. Therefore, a transfer can only take place if it's good for all parties. "We'll have to wait and see. But our goal is for Granit to stay with us." Saudi club NEOM SC pulled out of the race to sign Xhaka on Thursday after failing to make a breakthrough in talks with Leverkusen. But Sunderland remain interested, with the club's recruitment and coaching staff of the view that Xhaka will offer priceless top level experience. Xhaka turns 33 in September but is still captaining Switzerland and started 33 of Leverkusen's 34 league games last season, as Xabi Alonso's side finished second. Alonso has since left for Real Madrid and been replaced by former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, and as Leverkusen plan for the coming season, Rolfes has stressed the need for clarity with Xhaka's situation sooner rather than later, saying the issue won't be drawn out across the entire transfer window". Sunderland have already made six signings this summer, including three midfielders in Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki, but are still looking to make several more signings ahead of the start of the Premier League season and the summer transfer deadline a fortnight later. The Black Cats are prioritising a central defender, but also want a goalkeeper and a centre forward. They'll also sanction the exit of a number of fringe players, with Regis Le Bris confirming last week that the likes of Ian Poveda, Hemir, Nazariy Rusyn, Abdoullah Ba and Pierre Ekwah can all leave.
France 24
12-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
American midfielder Tillman joins Leverkusen from PSV
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who was born in Nuremberg, has signed a five-year deal until June 30, 2030. The club has not given details of a transfer fee but media reports put it at 40 million euros ($47 million) which would equal the club record paid for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah earlier this month. Tillman joined PSV, initially on loan, from Bayern Munich in 2023 and last season scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 34 games for PSV. "In Malik Tillman we have gained another player who has great ability and is very dangerous in front of goal," said Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes. "He can play in midfield either as a number 10 or as a number 8. Malik is an absolute top signing for us." Tillman, who also spent a year on loan at Rangers in Scotland, won back-to-back titles in the Eredivisie but he now has his sights set on winning the Bundesliga. "I want to win something. That was my aim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven and it remains my aim here," he said. Tillman made 21 appearances for several Germany age-group teams before deciding to play for the USA in 2022, most recently in the Gold Cup final defeat by Mexico.
New York Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Bayer Leverkusen complete deal to sign USMNT's Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven
Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of USMNT forward Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven after activating a €35million release clause in his contract with the Dutch club. Tillman, 23, has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side, running to 2030. Leverkusen's managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said: 'At just 23, Malik brings a special mixture of technical skill, dynamic playing style, and attacking instinct. Sixteen goals and 5 assists in 34 league matches last season, including some standout moments in the Champions League, speak for themselves. He's a huge talent and a top transfer for us. Advertisement 'Malik will add something special to our offence. He can play both as an 8 and a 10, and his versatility fits perfectly with the way we play. 'His creativity, presence in the final third, and eye for the goal will add a new layer to our attacking back-to-back titles in the Netherlands, Malik brings both winning experience and the hunger to keep growing. 'We're proud he chose Bayer 04 as the next step in his career, and I'm confident he'll make an impact here. As well on the pitch and in the locker playing the Gold Cup final, he'll take some well-deserved holidays before joining the Werkself.' Leverkusen were in the market for more creativity following the sale of Florian Wirtz to Liverpool in a club-record deal. Wirtz joined the Premier League champions in a deal worth €136.3million (£116m) to Leverkusen, comprising €117.5m (£100m) upfront, with a further €18.8m (£16m) in add-ons. US Men's National Team forward Tillman came through the youth ranks of Greuther Furth before joining Bayern Munich alongside his brother Timothy Tillman in 2015. He made his senior debut for Bayern in 2020 and played in the Champions League for the first time in 2021, coming on as a substitute against Barcelona. Tillman joined Rangers on a season-long loan in 2022 and the Scottish club had an option to buy him, which they declined. He then moved to PSV on an initial loan in August 2023 despite signing a contract extension with Bayern until 2026. The Eredivisie club signed him permanently in summer 2024. At international level, Tillman made his senior debut for the USMNT in 2022 during a 3-0 win against Morocco. He has since been capped on 22 occasions, scoring three times. ()
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen boss reveals key details on Wirtz's move to Liverpool
Around two weeks ago, Florian Wirtz was officially confirmed as a Liverpool player after completing his record-breaking transfer, reportedly worth €140 million, from Bayer Leverkusen. Reflecting on the landmark move in an interview with Sport Bild, Bayer Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes revealed that the German club wanted to extend Wirtz's contract until it became clear that the young German was keen on taking the next step. Advertisement 'Our aim was to extend Florian's contract and keep him for at least one more year. But gradually, we sensed that he was increasingly focused on a transfer,' Rolfes said. 'From February or March onwards, the conversations shifted more towards other clubs and leagues. We always knew how he was thinking. We knew from the parents who they were talking to. The clubs from abroad (including Liverpool and Manchester City) also kept us informed; they acted very professionally and seriously.' When asked when Wirtz informed the club of his decision, Rolfes replied: 'In May, he told us that he had decided on FC Liverpool.' Advertisement Following that, negotiations between Leverkusen and Liverpool began. 'We only negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us it was his desired club. From the start of negotiations, I was confident it would work out. Of course, everyone fights for their position, but it was always respectful. 'The people involved from both clubs know each other so well that no personal meeting was necessary. We handled everything by phone, email, and video conferences.'
