Bayer Leverkusen plot a double-swoop for PSV's Johan Bakayoko and Malik Tillman, with Premier League teams in for the former.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Bayer wants to sign Johan Bakayoko German club wants Bakayoko to replace Florian WirtzBelgian also targeted by Nottingham Forest and BournemouthFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to , Leverkusen are advancing in talks to sign Bakayoko as they see him as a piece of the puzzle in their efforts to replace Wirtz. A winger who cuts inside and plays on the right wing, Bakayoko is lauded within the Bayer camp, with his profile labelled as a perfect fit for Erik ten Hag's style of play. The Eredivisie club has put a price tag of €25 million (£21m/$29m) on the winger with both Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth interested.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Over the last two years, the Belgian's form has not seen any gradual improvement and has in fact dipped from 12 goals and nine assists in 33 games in 2023-24 Eredivisie season to nine goals and one assist in 30 games in PSV's 2024-25 campaign, leading him to consider a switch. However, the 22-year-old plans to move to a team that is playing in the Champions League. With Forest only able to guarantee Conference League football, the scales tip more towards a move to BayArena.
DID YOU KNOW?
The 2023-24 Bundesliga champions are also on the verge of signing Bakayoko's team-mate, Tillman. The 23-year-old midfielder has a release clause of €35m (£30m/$41m) and will go through a medical in the United States in the coming days.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LEVERKUSEN?
In addition to replacing and buying players, Ten Hag will have to fight to keep Granit Xhaka at the club. After their failed bid for Ardon Jashari, the Italian side are planning to re-open talks for the Swiss midfielder.