Florian Wirtz praises contracts at Bayer 04: "Speaks for the club's ambitions" - World News

“Speaks for the club’s ambitions”

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have had to cope with the loss of a top talent in each of the past three years. After Julian Brandt (2019/20 for 25 million euros to Borussia Dortmund) and Kai Havertz (2020/21 for 80 million euros to Chelsea), Leon Bailey (for 32 million euros to Aston Villa) left the Bundesliga club last summer. Club boss Fernando Carro recently made it clear that the current top performers will not be let go in the coming transfer window. A good sign for Florian Wirtz – currently the most valuable player in the squad.

“There are many players around me who have signed a similarly long contract. That speaks for the club’s ambition to retain their players for the long term and thus have a high-performing team every season,” said the 18-year-old in an interview sky. Wirtz himself extended the contract in May 2021 to 2026, and Amine Adli (21), Piero Hincapié (20), Edmond Tapsoba (23), Odilon Kossounou (21) and Robert Andrich (27) are also tied for four more years. In addition, six players have a working paper until 2025, winter newcomer Sardar Azmoun (27) even until 2027 (on all contracts). “I’m glad I have other young players around me who have been with Bayer for just as long. I see it as a sign that you feel at home at the club and like playing here,” said Wirtz.

With Bailey, Havertz & Co.: Bayer Leverkusen’s most expensive sales

13 Arturo Vidal | 2011/12 for €12.5m to Juventus Turin

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As of April 15, 2022

13 Christoph Kramer | 2016/17 for €15m to Borussia Mönchengladbach

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12 Dimitar Berbatov | 2006/07 for €15.7m to Tottenham Hotspur

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11 Chicharito | 2017/18 for €17.8m to West Ham United

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10 Emerson | 2000/01 for €18m to AS Roma

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8 Benjamin Henrichs | 2018/19 for €20m to AS Monaco

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8 Kevin Kampl | 2017/18 for €20m to RB Leipzig

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7 André Schurrle | 2013/14 for €22m to Chelsea

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6 Hakan Calhanoğlu | 2017/18 for €23.3m to AC Milan

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4 Bernd Leno | 2018/19 for €25m to Arsenal

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4 Julian Brandt | 2019/20 for €25m to Borussia Dortmund

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3 Heung Min Son | 2015/16 for €30m to Tottenham Hotspur

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2 Leon Bailey | 2021/22 for €32m to Aston Villa

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1 Kai Havertz | 2020/21 for €80m to Chelsea

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With an average age of 24.8, Bayer 04 have the third youngest squad in the Bundesliga and want to win their first title since 1992/93 in the near future. “We weren’t that far away from coming close to such a title this season, but unfortunately we were eliminated against Bergamo (round of 16 of the Europa League; d. Red),” explained Wirtz. A trophy “should also be our aim, because we have a good team. We are well positioned defensively and offensively, which is why we want to attack again directly in the coming season. I hope that we qualify for the Champions League and that we can prove ourselves on the big stage.”

Bayer 04: “Next step” open to Wirtz – Abroad “definitely a possibility”

On Sunday (7.30 p.m.) the foundation stone for qualifying for the “premier class” can be laid in a direct duel with pursuer RB Leipzig, the lead over SC Freiburg in fifth place is four points (to the table). Wirtz will no longer be able to intervene this season after his cruciate ligament tear, a comeback is currently planned for September.

There is no doubt in Leverkusen that the attacking midfielder will play in the Werkself jersey again. Wirtz was only allowed to leave the club before 2024 if there was an offer of 150 million euros, the “Sport Bild” recently reported. The 18-year-old stressed that he had “not yet thought about the future”: “It’s definitely a possibility to play abroad at some point. (…) I let everything come my way and then decide where my next step will lead me. I don’t know yet whether it’s at another club or at Leverkusen.”

With Wirtz, Bellingham & Co.: The 50 most valuable footballers in the world

50 Gavi – FC Barcelona – market value: €60M (+€20M)

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Ranking before the updates: 117

50 Kingsley Coman – FC Bayern – market value: €60M (+€5M)

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Rank before the updates: 63

50 Raphaël Varane – Manchester United – market value: €60m (€-5m)

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Rank before the updates: 41

50 Lionel Messi – PSG – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Alisson – Liverpool FC – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Jan Oblak – Atlético Madrid – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 João Cancelo – Manchester City – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Fabinho – Liverpool FC – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester City – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Marcos Llorente – Atlético Madrid – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Alessandro Bastoni – Inter Milan – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Diogo Jota – Liverpool FC – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Éder Militão – Real Madrid – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Victor Osimhen – SSC Napoli – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Jules Koundé – Sevilla FC – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

50 Ansu Fati – FC Barcelona – market value: €60M

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Rank before the updates: 49

43 Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

43 Milan Skriniar – Inter Milan – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

43 Andrew Robertson – Liverpool FC – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

43 Gianluigi Donnarumma – PSG – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

43 Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig – market value: €65m (+€10m)

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Rank before the updates: 63

43 Federico Valverde – Real Madrid – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

43 Bukayo Saka – Arsenal FC – market value: €65M

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Rank before the updates: 41

26 Leon Goretzka – FC Bayern – market value: €70m

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Serge Gnabry – FC Bayern – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Leroy Sané – FC Bayern – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Nicolò Barella – Inter Milan – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Sergej Milinković-Savić – Lazio – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Kai Havertz – Chelsea – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Matthijs de Ligt – Juventus – market value: €70M (+€5M)

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Rank before the updates: 41

26 Frenkie de Jong – FC Barcelona – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Federico Chiesa – Juventus – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Mikel Oyarzabal – Real Sociedad – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Rodri – Manchester City – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Achraf Hakimi – PSG – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan – market value: €70m (-€10m)

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Rank before updates: 16th

26 Alphonso Davies – FC Bayern – market value: €70M

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 João Félix – Atlético – market value: €70M (+€10M)

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Rank before the updates: 49

26 Florian Wirtz – Bayer 04 – market value: €70m

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Rank before updates: 27th

26 Marcus Rashford – Manchester United – market value: €70m (-€15m)

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Rank before updates: 10th

20 Marquinhos – PSG – market value: €75M

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