Liverpool completed the blockbuster signing of Germany forward Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in a deal which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee.
With the 2025-26 season still weeks away, Premier League clubs are already scrambling to strengthen their squads-- fuelled by the looming Club World Cup. Here are five names dominating the early headlines.
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been appointed as manager of Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year contract, the Bundesliga club said on Monday.
Former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to become the next Real Madrid manager on a three-year deal when he leaves Bayer Leverkusen after this season, Spanish media reported on Monday.
Borussia Dortmund romped to a 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, spoiling Xabi Alonso's last match in the home dugout while boosting their Champions League hopes.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso confirmed Friday he will leave the club at the end of the season, amid reports linking him to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich were crowned German champions for the 34th time on Sunday, giving striker Harry Kane his first major trophy, after second-placed Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso on Friday refused to shut down speculation he could be set for a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz is set to return "earlier than expected" from an ankle injury, coach Xabi Alonso told reporters on Friday.
A 10-man Bayern Munich went unpunished for a shock 3-2 home defeat to Bochum on Saturday after title chasers Bayer Leverkusen were beaten 2-0 by Werder Bremen.
Harry Kane struck twice as Bayern Munich eased to a 3-0 home win over 10-man Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, putting them on track for the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany on Friday compared his side's current duel with Bayer Leverkusen to the Manchester City-Liverpool Premier League battles of his playing days.
Given the scope of last year's achievements, where Alonso took Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double in Germany, Carro's tongue-in-cheek quip is believable.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany and his Bayer Leverkusen counterpart Xabi Alonso on Friday joined the growing chorus calling for action on player workload, amid talks of strikes.
"It may have looked pretty easy, but it's really not," Alonso told reporters after his team cruised to four first-half goals to break the Dutch resistance.
Bayer Leverkusen's 35-game unbeaten Bundesliga run came to an end in their last game and manager Xabi Alonso hopes the short time he has had with his players will be sufficient to get back to winning ways.
Granit Xhaka praised his side's "pure mentality" as Florian Wirtz's goal in the 11th minute of stoppage time snatched a 3-2 win for reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen at Borussia Moenchengladbach in Friday's Bundesliga opener.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday that Bayern Munich are the Bundesliga title favourites this season, despite his side's incredible league and cup double last campaign.
Eyebrows were raised when Xhaka arrived from Premier League runners-up Arsenal at the start of last term, with Leverkusen coming off a fifth-placed finish and with rookie coach Xabi Alonso preparing for his first full season as a first-team head coach.
