With Jonathan Tah’s departure from Bayer Leverkusen looking inevitable, the reigning Bundesliga champions are searching for a replacement, but they’ve been priced out of a move for their top target.
According to Kicker, Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori (22) will cost around €40m, €10m more than Bayer have budgeted for a central-defender. The Italian impressed at Euro 2024 but with Bologna having to hand over 50 percent of the transfer fee to his previous employer FC Basel, the side from Emilia-Romagna have no intention of selling him for any less.
It’s a similar story for Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand (27), who has a reported release clause in excess of €40m, which leads Bayer Leverkusen to other defensive targets.
Robin Koch and Dean Huijsen an option for Bayer Leverkusen?
Mats Hummels, who is currently without a club after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired, is available on a free transfer, while Eintracht Frankfurt’s Robin Koch is available for around €20m, but both players lack pace, a desirable for Leverkusen’s recruitment team.
As reported via Kicker, Dean Huijsen, who spent the second-half of last season on loan at AS Roma, is considered a ‘top talent’ with Tuttosport suggesting that Bayer are favourites.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
