Bayer 04: Rolfes on transfers – “Will do good things in the summer”

No comment on Xhaka

Real Madrid are said to be interested, as are Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United: There are rumors about Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso almost every day. Sport director Simon Rolfes believes that the Spaniard, whose contract with the “Werkself” runs until 2024, will stay.

community
Discuss Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the forum nowThis way
He’s not worried about that, the former professional said in a media round before the upcoming semi-final first leg of the Europa League at AS Roma on Thursday (9 p.m.): “There are always rumours. We’re very relaxed there. He has a contract, so we are very calm. And we are in close contact about how we can develop the team for next year,” said Rolfes. Alonso himself said when asked about the speculation last week: “We still have great things to achieve this season. That’s why my head is 100 percent here for the last few months. And my head is 100 percent here for next season as well.”

Alonso had won 17 of his 32 games since taking office in October 2022 and suffered eight losses. Rolfes explained: “There is currently no focus on that. Neither from him nor from us. (…) We want to finish the season first and try to get the most out of it. Then there is a long summer break, so you can tackle things like that.”

Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Rolfes confirms change – no comment on Xhaka

The head of sport did not want to comment on the rumors about interest in former Gladbach player Granit Xhaka from Arsenal (click here for the Xhaka news): “We are looking at the market to see what opportunities there are to improve our team. I will not comment on individual players.” But it is clear that there will be a change in the squad in the summer, as the Leverkusen management has emphasized more than once. Four contracts expire at Bayer at the end of the season, as does the loan of Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has suffered a back injury. Top performers like Jeremie Frimpong and above all Moussa Diaby are repeatedly associated with departures – for the latter, Newcastle United are reportedly planning to make an offer in Leverkusen in the next few days.

rumor
	G. Xhaka
	Central midfield
Arsenal FC 30% B. Leverkusen premier league Bundesliga

Rolfes had already announced in February that there would be movement at Bayer in the summer. “We are not guided or driven by how the games are going,” he said: “We will try to set new stimulus points and heat up competition. Nothing has changed in this view since February. At the moment, being up to date is much, much more important. But we will do good things in the summer.”

To home page