Leverkusen chief outlines plan to build “next title-winning team” following Wirtz departure | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen aim to build “the next title-winning team” following the sale of top star Florian Wirtz to Liverpool in a deal reportedly worth around €140 million, according to managing director for sport Simon Rolfes.

Wirtz is just one of several key figures who have departed Leverkusen this summer, alongside head coach Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid; Jeremie Frimpong, who also moved to Liverpool; and Jonathan Tah, who transferred to Bayern Munich.

Under new head coach Erik ten Hag, the 2023/24 German double winners are now focused on assembling their next powerhouse squad.

“It’s now our goal to build the next title-winning team with Florian’s transfer fee,” Bayer 04’s board member for sport Simon Rolfes told Sport Bild.

“We want to sign players who can immediately strengthen the squad with their quality, while also having the potential to develop. Our aim is always to be among the top four in the league and capable of winning titles.”

Wirtz is one of many big talents developed by Leverkusen over the years, and Rolfes believes his move will help the club attract other promising players.

“Florian’s path helps us because there are other examples too - like Kai Havertz, who moved to Chelsea in 2020, Moussa Diaby, who went to Aston Villa in 2023, or Jeremie Frimpong, who, with his move now to Liverpool, also makes the leap to the world elite.

“What has especially changed with ‘Flo’ is that five years ago, a player leaving us aimed to reach the top 16 in Europe. Now, we ourselves are ranked 13th in the UEFA rankings. If a top player leaves us now, he wants to take the final step into the world elite. The players can grow through us, but we also grow with the players.”

Bayer Leverkusen have already been busy with arrivals this summer, signing Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Ibrahim Maza (Hertha BSC), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Abdoulate Faye (Häcken), Tim Oermann (Bochum), Axel Tape (Paris Saint-Germain), and Issa Traoré (Djoliba AC).