Bayer before spending record
© Imago
Bayer Leverkusen presented the next newcomer with ex-Munich Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven. According to “Sky”, the transfer for the 23 -year -old offensive player is 35 million euros thanks to an exit clause. So much for defender Jarell Quansah (22) had recently agreed with Liverpool. Together, the two new additions Kerem Demirbay replace the most expensive new addition to the Leverkusen history. After the record was powdered in the income with the departure of Florian Wirtz, only a few million are missing from the expenses for the record of almost 100 million from the 2019/20 season (all Bayer transfers with the annual balance sheet).
Tillman has had a strong season in Eindhoven, was involved in 21 goals in 34 games and won the Dutch championship. Only last summer, PSV had signed the US international after a one-year loan for EUR 12 million from FC Bayern. Tillman increased its market value from 5 million to EUR 32 million during this period. For 35 million euros, the Munich team had secured a buyback option for the native of Nuremberg, but the record champion made no use.
Like Quansah, Tillman Demirbay overtakes as a record access that Leverkusen had signed in 2019 for EUR 32 million from TSG Hoffenheim. Bayer 04 had brought the former international with 149 games to Galatasaray for EUR 3.7 million. Tillman, who is the most expensive PSV exit behind Hirving Lozano (50 million, Naples) and Cody Gakpo (42 million, Liverpool), can hope for greater development potential. Finally, he is supposed to step into the footsteps of Florian Wirtz, which he moved to Liverpool for at least 125 million euros. Tillman receives a contract until 2030.
“With Malik Tillman we have won another playful and very dangerous offensive force for us. He can variably hold the tens and eighth position in midfield. Malik is an absolute top transfer for us. His style fits Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Our offensive game gets a completely new impulse through Malik’s dynamics,” said sports boss Simon Rolfes. Tillman added: “This club has always played great football. But in the past four or five years, Leverkusen grew enormously and has become interesting for many players all over Europe. I want to win something. That was my claim in Glasgow and in Eindhoven, and that remains my claim here too.”
Bayer 04: Record cracked in income – he wiggles when it comes to expenses
Due to the departures of UA Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong (40 million, Liverpool) and Odilon KossoUnou (20 million, Atalanta), the income of Leverkusen is more than 190 million euros in club record. No team has generated more this summer. According to Ua Ibrahim Maza (12 million, Hertha), Mark Flekken (10 million, Brentford) and the recently presented Quansah, the expenses increased to more than 90 million euros thanks to Tillman. If the 100 million mark falls this summer or only in the winter transfer window, the maximum value from the 2019/20 season, when Demirbay came, would be exceeded of EUR 99.7 million.