Five Bayer Leverkusen stars Europe's biggest clubs want to sign

Tom Weber

22 May 2024 17:37 BST
5 min read

Xabi Alonso, Victor Boniface, Jeremie Frimpong, Bayer Leverkusen — © IMAGO

Bayer Leverkusen have officially won the Bundesliga for the first time ever, sealing the trophy with five games to spare after a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen.

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Head coach Xabi Alonso and sporting director Simon Rolfes have built a well-oiled machine that has completely blown perennial league winners Bayern Munich out of the water.

With Alonso staying on board for at least another season and Champions League football to look forward to, Leverkusen will back themselves to keep hold of their biggest stars. However, the fact of the matter is that the Werkself, like most Bundesliga sides, are a selling club and interest in their players is at an all-time high.

So, here are five Bayer Leverkusen stars Europe's biggest clubs want to sign following their first ever title win...

Florian Wirtz (20, Attacking midfielder)

You can't talk about Bayer Leverkusen without mentioning Florian Wirtz. The German wonderkid has the potential to become one of the world's best players and he has already performed like one of the continent's best this season.

A creative machine and cool in front of goal, Wirtz has no shortage of suitors, with the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Barcelona and Bayern keen on him. It is, however unlikely that the youngster will leave this summer. His father (and agent) recently reiterated that Wirtz has no desire to depart and that he could even fulfil his current contract, which runs until 2027.

Victor Boniface (23, Striker)

It's a testament to just how good they have been this season that Leverkusen managed to keep their incredible form going despite missing star striker Victor Boniface for the best part of four months. Despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Nigerian is Bayer's top scorer.

A dribbling machine who is determined to get shots off as quickly as possible, Boniface is the full package in terms of ability and physical profile, with his injury record the only major concern. Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with Super Eagles sharpshooter.

Alejandro Grimaldo (28, Left-back/Left-winger)

Alejandro Grimaldo is undoubtedly one of the signings of the 2023/24 season. The Spaniard arrived from Benfica on a free transfer and turned out to be an absolute revelation in the Bundesliga. Deadly in front of goal despite nominally being a defender, the 28-year-old's set-pieces wreak absolute havoc and it's unusual for Grimaldo to go more than a couple of games without notching an assist.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Liverpool and Arsenal are monitoring the former La Masia product in addition to Bayern Munich. Real Madrid have also at times been tentatively linked with the Spain international.

Piero Hincapie (22, Centre-back/Left-back)

Though Piero Hincapie can play in the same position as Grimaldo, the two are very, very different players. Whereas Grimaldo is a monster going forward, Hincapie is an excellent defender, who can feature at left-back but is mostly utilised as a centre-back these days.

The 22-year-old Ecuador international is regarded as one of the biggest defensive prospects in Europe, though he did not have a great start to the season, having lost his place in Alonso's side. However, when Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossounou were at AFCON, Hincapie was given a chance to shine and took it with both hands. Liverpool and Tottenham are credited with an interest in the defender.

Jeremie Frimpong (23, Right-back/Right-winger)

From the left flank over to the right, the last player featured here is Jeremie Frimpong, probably the player who has been most prominently linked with a departure over the past 12 months. The Dutchman has suitors at Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

The marauding wing-back has a €40 million release clause and was widely expected to depart this summer. However, a recent report claimed that the ex-Man City prospect has had a change of heart. Either way, he will be one to watch this summer after establishing himself as one of the most dangerous full-backs in Europe in recent seasons.