Latest news with #ex-BayerLeverkusen
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Timeline set for next 2 Liverpool transfers after completing Florian Wirtz deal
Florian Wirtz will not be Liverpool's final piece of transfer business with two more deals set to quickly be completed at Anfield as Arne Slot forms his squad for next season Liverpool have made the biggest splash of the summer transfer window so far with the confirmation of Florian Wirtz's arrival at Anfield. The transfer could see a British record fee paid with the package coming to £116million with add-ons included. Wirtz already has some lofty targets to complete with his team-mates. 'I would like to win everything every year! First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work," he said. 'In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.' With such ambition, it's no wonder the Reds have not been put off spending more in the coming days and weeks. Arne Slot has already seen the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield, and ex-Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Wirtz sees a significant increase in spending after completing his medical on Friday. But more business is set to be conducted in the coming days as Liverpool look to equip themselves with the ability to retain the Premier League title. Two deals could soon be completed: one in and one out. Milos Kerkez is expected to travel to Merseyside on Tuesday to undergo his medical after Liverpool agreed a £40m fee with Bournemouth. The full-back is set to come in and provide strong competition to Andy Robertson. Personal terms are already agreed for Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary team-mate as the Premier League champions move to get another deal over the line. Kerkez's arrival could see Robertson mull a possible move to Atletico Madrid however. Wirtz's arrival may not have been Liverpool's final dealing with Bayer Leverkusen this summer either. Defender Jarell Quansah is closing in on a £35m move to the Bundesliga side. Reports suggest the transfer could be agreed in 24-48 hours with the former Bristol Rovers loanee having already offered his approval. Negotiations area already noted to be at their final stages. An exit for the young defender in the coming days could see the Reds move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. The ex-Chelsea youngster's deal is set to expire in 12 months time. A striker also remains a target for Liverpool, particularly if Darwin Nunez departs as expected. Newcastle ace Alexander Isak is among those admired but a deal would not be easy.
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luis Diaz makes feelings clear on Liverpool future amid Saudi transfer links
Luis Diaz stands at a crossroads after winning the Premier League with Liverpool as Al-Nassr and Barcelona plan to tempt him to leave the Reds in the summer transfer window Luis Diaz has reaffirmed his happiness at Liverpool after he was linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Diaz is facing an important stage in his career this summer, with two years left to run on his current Liverpool contract and plenty of other clubs interested. The Colombia international contributed 17 goals and eight assists in 50 appearances across all competitions to help Liverpool end the 2024/25 campaign with the Premier League trophy. However, his long-term future on Merseyside is somewhat uncertain amid interest from Barcelona and Saudi side Al-Nassr. Barca sporting director Deco has publicly admitted the club admires Diaz, while his father has previously said it would be a 'dream' for his son to join the Catalan giants. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are also reportedly keeping an eye on Diaz, who could end up replacing Cristiano Ronaldo as the club's star player. The 28-year-old winger has now moved to pour cold water on these rumours. 'I feel I'm going through a really good period,' he told the club website. 'I'm really happy to be here, to be part of this great institution, this great club and to have great team-mates around me. 'From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride. I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I'm really happy because that's what I work for. '[But] we are nobodies without our team-mates. We are a team. The forwards and wingers always try to help with goals and assists, and right now I've achieved good numbers to back that up. It's about playing and then playing well, supporting the team in the way I play and enjoying it, like always.' Liverpool recently handed out new contracts to Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah but are plotting major changes in the summer transfer window. Jeremie Frimpong has already arrived in a £29.5million move to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, while talks continue over a big-money move for his ex-Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz. HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Liverpool sell Luis Diaz? Comment below. The Reds have funds available after making just one signing last summer, but there could still be some major departures to cover the expenditure. Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher and Andy Robertson are all possibilities, but there is also a decision to be made over Diaz, who will still fetch a decent transfer fee now, but will see his value decrease over time, unless he signs a new contract. 'We will be talking, the talk about it (his future) will happen,' he said recently. 'For me, I'd stay for as long as possible. It also depends on the club, it all depends on the details. They're all details that are sorted out separately. But I am very calm, very happy and I am enjoying the Premier League.'
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Leeds fans make their feelings clear on Daniel Farke sacking as manager issues response
Leeds beat Bristol City 4-0 to round off their home campaign at Elland Road on Monday night and Whites fans made their feelings towards boss Daniel Farke clear Leeds United fans made their affection for Daniel Farke clear amid speculation over his future as their team produced a dominant 4-0 win over Bristol City to move top of the Championship. Leeds and Burnley go into the final match of the season level on points. A performance that saw goals from Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani was punctuated as the Elland Road faithful sang Farke's name on multiple occasions. After just 30 minutes, the German coach heard his name ring round the stands and soon found an almighty cheer as he raised his fist to them in recognition. Monday evening saw the first time the club were able to celebrate promotion to the Premier League with fans, just days after speculation over Farke's future started having seen their return to the top-flight confirmed. The former Norwich manager still has two years remaining on his contract but there is said to have been uncertainty in the club's hierarchy over Farke's credentials in the nation's top division. Chairman Paraag Marathe was in attendance at Elland Road amid reports he will sit down with Farke to discuss his future this week. Asked about the prospect, Farke was quick not to feed into the narrative. "Right now, it's not about talks or whatever or thinking about the Premier League or next season," he told Sky Sports. "Right now, it's about celebrating this special day. It's one of the most important days in the history of this football club. "I always spoke about why I signed a long term contract here. I wanted, first, to steady the ship, to rebuild the group and reunite the club because there was a big gap between the supporters and the playing squad. "I wanted to build a new group and create values and the way we want to play and to bring the club back to the Premier League. The next step is to make this club an established Premier League side. "If we're really honest, this club belongs to the Premier League but in the last 22 to 23 years we've spent just three years there. We had one really good year after promotion under Marcelo [Bielsa] and then two years of struggling. "At the moment, we're not allowed to label us an established Premier League side. It's the next step but the first steps are quite important. The foundations are there and it's about making this club an established Premier League side." While it appears Farke could yet remain at Elland Road, replacements have been considered according to reports. Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, ex-Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Benfica coach Roger Schmidt and Davide Ancelotti, son of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, are said to have been considered. Speaking before the game, Farke conceded he was not surprised to see speculation however. "It's not surprising because I knew exactly which club I signed for," he said. "I'm not sure how many managers Leeds have had in the last 20 years, but normally, it's a good effort if you last for three months. Once you sign for this club, you know from this moment there is lots of pressure, lots of noise, lots of expectation. It's nothing new or nothing I wouldn't expect because this club is so emotional and so big. "Journalists from all over the country, who are never here, have never spoken to one person within the club. Of course, they want to write about Leeds and if you want to deliver some news that is clicked, you have to bring shock news." Former Leeds star Stuart Dallas believes it would be harsh to part ways with Farke. 'Let's not forget, he lost three of his best players from last season too, he lost Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter. And to do what he has done this year, he deserves so much credit,' he told Sky Sports. "I think it would be really harsh. I can see why fans will be having their reservations about it because of his record with Norwich when they did go up."
