Is this the end for Bayer Leverkusen? Alonso leaving with Wirtz, Tah and others set to follow

Twelve months is a long time in football, just ask any Bayer Leverkusen fan.

This time last year the club were celebrating their first Bundesliga title after a remarkable season that saw them go a European-record 48 games unbeaten and they still had the finals of the Europa League and DFB-Pokal to come.

They had arguably the most coveted coach in world football with Xabi Alonso wanted by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

And they had a squad packed full of hungry, young talent seemingly ready to dominate both domestically and on the continent.

Fast forward to today and they are at risk of losing much of what the club have worked so hard to create.

Alonso has already announced he will be leaving at the end of the season and is a shoo-in to take over the Madrid vacancy created by the impending departure of Carlo Ancelotti to become head coach of Brazil.

The Spaniard’s departure will come as no surprise to the Leverkusen faithful. The murmurings from last summer never went away and he was always likely to seek a bigger stage to display his undoubted ability at some stage.

But, what of the players? Here, we examine five of Leverkusen’s brightest talents who could be on the move this summer.

Florian Wirtz

Leverkusen’s jewell in the crown, Wirtz is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Bayern thought they had won the race but City have emerged as strong contenders in recent days with the player’s parents spotted flying into England for talks with the deposed Premier League champions.
Wirtz, 22, would not come cheap with a fee of £126million, a figure that would smash the record paid by a British club, reportedly required to prise him away from the BayArena.
The Germany international has missed time with a knee injury this season but still managed 16 goals and 15 assists in 44 games in all competitions.

Group hug for Flo but make it competitive. pic.twitter.com/arcL1uCDxv

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 14, 2025

Jonathan Tah

Another player believed to be heading to one club but now set to join another.
The Germany centre-half was destined for Barcelona only to get cold feet due to the Catalan club’s financial problems and issues with registering players.
Tah is now widely expected to join Bayern on a free transfer, despite being rejected by the Bundesliga club this time last year after their supervisory board objected to paying a significant fee for a player with 12 months left on his contract.

Jeremie Frimpong

Earmarked as the successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right side of Liverpool’s defence, Frimpong is likely to move to Anfield this summer.
Although reports locally suggest the move is not as advanced as some have claimed, it would be a surprise if the Netherlands international did not join countryman Arne Slot on Merseyside.
Different in approach to Alexander-Arnold, what he lacks in creative passing Frimpong makes up for in athleticism and a willingness to bomb forward at every opportunity.
The 24-year-old has a release clause of just under £30million, making him a relative bargain.

Legends may leave, but memories stay forever pic.twitter.com/WW9kp3zV3U

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 13, 2025

Patrick Schick

With a dearth of out-and-out number nines on the market, it is no surprise Schick has come to the attention of several of Europe’s big guns.
There is reported interest in Czech international Schick from Manchester United, who are looking at alternatives to the goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund.
Schick is the strong presence United have lacked in attack and, on the face if it, would appear a good fit at Old Trafford.
A fee in the region of £25m may be enough.

Alejandro Grimaldo

A vital part of Leverkusen’s success last season, Grimaldo is reportedly on Barca’s wishlist.
A product of the club’s La Masia academy, he left to join Benfica in 2016 before moving to Leverkusen in 2023.
Has spoken previously of his desire to move back to Catalonia and his attacking instincts appear a perfect fit for Hansi Flick’s side.
At 29 years of age, he would not command a particularly big fee with reports suggesting £30m would be accepted by Leverkusen.