Latest news with #SkySportsGermany
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Club turned down opportunity to sign £50m Liverpool star
Liverpool Refuse to Sacrifice Star as Wirtz Pursuit Intensifies The message coming out of Anfield is clear: Liverpool want Florian Wirtz. Badly. But not at the cost of Harvey Elliott. According to Sky Sports Germany, the Merseyside club's pursuit of the Bayer Leverkusen star has entered an aggressive new phase. A second bid worth up to £112 million has been submitted, combining a £100 million base with add-ons. Yet, in a window already promising upheaval under Arne Slot, the Reds have drawn the line when it comes to sacrificing one of their brightest homegrown assets. Wirtz viewed as missing piece Florian Wirtz has become the poster boy for modern German talent—vision, technique, and a Champions League-ready mentality all wrapped in one. Six goals and nine games in Europe's top competition last season, five Man of the Match awards, and 31 goal contributions across all competitions paint the picture of a player ready for the Premier League spotlight. Photo: IMAGO Liverpool's motivation is no mystery. The club has long searched for a natural creative spark since Philippe Coutinho departed and Wirtz, at just 22, could be the long-term solution to the question: who carries the creative burden beyond Alexander-Arnold? Elliott off the table, Quansah under discussion Harvey Elliott, once linked as a potential makeweight in the Wirtz deal, is now categorically out of the equation. As Sky Sports Germany confirm, Bayer Leverkusen 'no longer consider Elliott an option.' It's a stance that speaks volumes about how highly Liverpool value the 22-year-old, who made 53 appearances last season and delivered quietly influential performances. Photo: IMAGO Quansah, however, remains under consideration. The defender, who broke into Liverpool's first team in 2023 and was named in England's provisional Euro 2024 squad, may still be part of the package. His minutes dropped last season, mostly coming off the bench, and his inclusion could be a pragmatic decision rather than a purely emotional one. Photo: IMAGO Deal far from done Despite Liverpool's aggressive financial approach, Leverkusen have rejected the latest offer. The Germans are holding firm, and with no urgency to sell, they are making sure any departure matches their valuation, not just in money, but in value. Advertisement And so the tug-of-war continues. Liverpool are in for a player they believe can shape the post-Klopp era, but they're not going to dismantle their youthful core to do it. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis For the Liverpool faithful, the Wirtz pursuit ticks every box. Young, elite, proven in Europe and playing like someone who grew up with Gerd Müller posters on his wall. Wirtz has the kind of vision and guile that this team has lacked when Trent is played deeper or wider. But there's relief, too, in hearing Harvey Elliott won't be part of any deal. The lad has shown up when it matters—whether it was a late goal in Europe or an assist in a cup final. He's not been a regular starter, sure, but those moments matter. He matters. Advertisement Quansah's inclusion is harder to accept. He's not Virgil van Dijk, but few 21-year-old centre-backs can claim such calm under pressure. If there's a price to pay for Wirtz, many would rather see a financial one, not a loss of potential from within. Liverpool are finally acting like a big club again—aggressive, ambitious. Let's just hope they don't forget that sometimes the gold is already in your backyard.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Journalist Reveals That Liverpool Are In ‘Pole Position' to Sign £50m Defender
Liverpool Step Up Chase for Huijsen as Defensive Plan Evolves Slot Looks to Add Youth and Depth to Central Defence As Liverpool begin reshaping their defensive unit for the Slot era, attention is now firmly fixed on one of the most exciting young centre-backs in European football – Dean Huijsen. Advertisement According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool and Arsenal are 'currently in pole position' to sign the Bournemouth defender, with a decision 'expected soon.' The 20-year-old is attracting interest across Europe, with Real Madrid said to 'remain keen' on his services. Plettenberg also noted that Bayern Munich have stepped back from the race, citing financial constraints and a pivot in focus towards a potential free move for Jonathan Tah. Release Clause Offers Structure for Swift Deal Huijsen's release clause of £50 million – payable in three instalments – adds a layer of flexibility that could give Liverpool the edge. In a market where structure often determines speed, this could be decisive. Advertisement This move is more than a contingency for Ibrahima Konate's stalled contract negotiations. While the Frenchman's future remains uncertain due to wage demands, securing Huijsen now would also futureproof Liverpool's central defence as Virgil van Dijk approaches the final stages of his illustrious Anfield career. Slot, who values technical centre-backs capable of building from the back, would see Huijsen's profile as a natural fit. Rising Star Showing Elite Metrics Huijsen's metrics from the 2024/25 campaign have been exceptional. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 7% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues in several key areas: Advertisement Non-penalty goals (0.12) Shot-creating actions (1.63) Progressive carries (1.55) Interceptions (1.94) Clearances (7.16) For a 20-year-old adjusting to the pace of English football, these are elite indicators. Defensively solid, progressive with the ball, and active in attacking phases, Huijsen is already showing signs of a complete centre-back in the making. Photo: IMAGO Liverpool Eye Long-Term Centre-Back Blueprint The ideal scenario for Liverpool is clear: tie down Konate, land Huijsen, and allow the Spanish international to develop under the guidance of Van Dijk. It's a model that worked for the club's past signings in midfield and attack – letting new signings integrate gradually before assuming more senior responsibility. Advertisement Add Jeremie Frimpong – another target Liverpool are reportedly close to securing – and the summer rebuild starts to look well-balanced and aligned with Arne Slot's tactical demands. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis There's something refreshing about seeing Liverpool act with this level of clarity and purpose. After a few reactive transfer windows in recent years, this one is already shaping up to be proactive, ambitious, and smart. Huijsen ticks every box fans could want from a defensive signing. At just 20, he's got his entire career ahead of him, but he's already putting up serious numbers in the Premier League. There's no denying that a pairing of him and Konate long-term – with Van Dijk there to guide them – is as exciting as it is solid. Advertisement There's still natural concern around Konate's contract situation. Losing him would be a blow, but fans will appreciate the foresight in chasing Huijsen regardless of how that deal ends. This isn't just about replacing anyone – it's about ensuring continuity in defence, something we lacked in transition periods before. If Richard Hughes can get this done before pre-season, and with Frimpong also possibly arriving, it sets the tone for a new Liverpool identity – one built around energy, control, and youth. A clear plan is visible, and for supporters, that's often the biggest reassurance.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jeremie Frimpong's agent posts exciting update as Liverpool move ramps up
Earlier today there have been reports that Liverpool made contact with the representatives of Frimpong. Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that 'advanced' talks have taken place between the two parties as a move to Liverpool accelerates with the club identifying him at the 'top of options' to replace Alexander-Arnold following a 'detailed analysis.' Advertisement Now an even more exciting update has been issued by Frimpong's agent himself. Jeffrey Lemmert, who represents Frimpong posted on his Instagram story a picture of his car on the road with the caption 'We working' accompanied by an hour glass emoji. It's an exciting update that confirms Frimpong's agent is actively pursuing moves. Of course Lemmert has other clients, but Frimpong seems to be his main one. The last three Instagram posts he has uploaded on his account all feature Frimpong. So the chances are high that what Lemmert posted on his story is about Frimpong, although it's not guaranteed. Based on Plettenberg's report about Frimpong's representatives being in advanced talks with Liverpool and him being the club's first choice to replace Alexander-Arnold as well as this post from his agent, things are falling into place. Advertisement Given that there aren't many obstacles when it comes to securing a transfer fee for Frimpong it would not be a surprise if the deal ramps up even faster now. Frimpong's arrival is an exciting one. It means that Conor Bradley isn't necessarily going to be the first choice option for the Reds. The Dutchman will be brought in to provide competition rather than be an understudy to Bradley. At the same time, Frimpong can play in more advanced roles as well which gives Slot more tactical flexibility. He could use the Bayer Leverkusen wing-back as a winger on either side as well as switch to a back three with two wing-backs if he wished. Adding a profile like that for just £30m is a very typical Liverpool signing. This is why we firmly believe that the reports about Frimpong may not be far fetched.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brentford Goalkeeper Targeted as Bayer Leverkusen Plan Summer Move
Brentford Goalkeeper Targeted as Bayer Leverkusen Plan Summer Move Brentford Goalkeeper Mark Flekken Attracts Interest From Bayer Leverkusen Mark Flekken's future at Brentford has been cast into doubt following fresh reports from Sky Sports Germany that Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen are considering a summer move for the Dutch international goalkeeper. Advertisement The 31-year-old, who joined Brentford from Freiburg in the summer of 2023, has quickly established himself as the Bees' number one, making 30 appearances in all competitions this season. While Brentford's defensive record has been inconsistent — conceding 45 goals with six clean sheets — Flekken has largely impressed, particularly in a league as demanding as the Premier League. Photo IMAGO According to Sky Sports Germany, 'Leverkusen have already made contact with the Dutch international.' The report adds that Flekken is viewed as one of the leading candidates to resolve uncertainty in Leverkusen's goalkeeping department, where Xabi Alonso has rotated between Lukas Hradecky and Matej Kovar. Flekken remains under contract at Brentford until 2027, but a transfer fee in the region of €15 million (around £13 million) could be enough to tempt the Premier League club into negotiations. Advertisement The move would mark a return to the Bundesliga for Flekken, who previously impressed in Germany with Freiburg before crossing to England. Photo: IMAGO Our View – EPL Index Analysis For Brentford fans, this news comes with mixed emotions. Mark Flekken may not be a headline-grabbing name, but his importance to this side cannot be overstated. He's brought calmness, shot-stopping consistency, and Premier League-level distribution to a team that has had to weather injury spells and defensive reshuffles all season. The worry isn't just about losing a quality goalkeeper — it's about what that says for Brentford's trajectory. With Ivan Toney gone and the club battling to remain stable in the mid-table pack, selling Flekken would feel like another step back when momentum is so desperately needed. Advertisement And while £13 million might look reasonable on paper, the cost of replacing a settled, high-performing goalkeeper in this market would likely outweigh the fee received. Fans would rightly expect reinvestment, not just in a replacement but in a statement of intent that Brentford aren't simply becoming a stepping stone. Losing Flekken to a resurgent Bayer Leverkusen, under Xabi Alonso's compelling project, would be understandable. But Brentford must fight to retain their core — or risk slipping backwards in a league that punishes stagnation.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City add Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga to summer shortlist
Manchester City have added Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga (22) to their summer shortlist, according to a report from Sky Sports Germany journalist . Manchester City have endured a difficult campaign. They are already out of the UEFA Champions League having come unstuck against reigning champions Real Madrid in the play-off, whilst following their weekend defeat to Nottingham Forest (1-0), Pep Guardiola's side are fifth and risk missing out on next season's Champions League entirely. There may be a rebuild at the Etihad Stadium over the summer. It has already begun with the arrivals of Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov in January, however, the regeneration of the squad could continue with the signing of France international Camavinga. The reigning Premier League champions are 'actively monitoring' the midfielder, with his agency, CAA Stellar, having already established strong ties with the club. 'Many clubs' are interested in Camavinga, who is yet to make any decision regarding his future. His contract with Los Blancos runs until 2029. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
