Jeremie Frimpong. Jonathan Tah. Florian Wirtz. Xabi Alonso. In this quartet lies a significant part of the explanation for Bayer Leverkusen’s success over the past two seasons, with last season’s The Double. These are now history at the Bundesliga club. Now the next important piece disappears.
Erik ten Hag takes over the job from Xabi Alonso with quite a task to match. It doesn’t get any easier when the former Man United manager has to build up a lot from scratch. Tah was the defensive general, Frimpong, the vital link between defence and attack on the right wing, worthy of replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. Wirtz, the ball artist, the creative force of Alonso’s attack and relentless finishing. Now the midfield boss also disappears.
READ: Tromsø sends striker Frederik Christensen to German football
Granit Xhaka has 95 appearances in the Leverkusen shirt after his transfer from Arsenal in 2023. The Swiss has only missed two league games in the two seasons Leverkusen finished with the title and second place. According to transfer journalist Romano, Xhaka, with his contract expiring in 2028, is well on his way away and in talks with AC Milan. Sky Sports has previously reported that the Swiss’ representatives have also been in talks with Galatasaray.
Either way, the 32-year-old will not be joining Erik ten Hag in the coming season. Ten Hag likes to build his own squad, but losing Tah, Frimpong, Wirtz and Xhaka will be almost impossible to cover in his debut season.
Read on English Clubs: Have the recipe ready, tailor-made for Tottenham
