Change in goalkeeper position?
© Imago
Master Bayer Leverkusen apparently wants to change in the goalkeeper position. According to information from the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeigers“Matej Kovar (24) can leave the Werkelf in summer. Bayer is intensively looking for a new keeper and future successor to Lukas Hradecky (35), who is supposed to increase the quality in this position.
“It is part of our job and above all the Scoutin department to always prepare for eventualities in all positions. Of course, this also applies to the goalkeeper position,” sports manager Simon Rolfes is quoted in the report. Even if he praised Kovar in general: “We are fundamentally satisfied with Matej’s development. He received a lot of play with us in the two seasons and has become number one in the Czech goal.” However, his services would no longer be enough for Bayer 04’s increased ambitions after development in recent years, the newspaper speculates.
Kovar moved from Manchester United to Leverkusen in 2023 for 5 million euros and played 30 competitive games for Bayer in two years, but only four of them in the Bundesliga. Under coach Xabi Alonso, the 24-year-old usually received his chances in the DFB Cup, the Europa League and Champions League, but ultimately did not fully use them. In the royal class game against FC Bayern, he recently missed decisively.
Bayer Leverkusen: Ortega, Atubolu and Meret are traded
Stefan Ortega (32) by Manchester City, Noah Atubolu (22) from SC Freiburg and Alex Meret (28) from SSC Naples are among the candidates for the successor to Kovar, who still has a contract in Leverkusen until June 30, 2027 in Leverkusen. However, there have been no concrete negotiations.
While a transfer fee would be due for the ex-Bielefeld Ortega and U21 national goalkeeper Atubolu due to contracts beyond 2025, the working paper expires from Meret according to the current status. With a market value of 12 million euros, the Italian is the most valuable goalkeeper with an ending contract. However, his advisor recently announced an agreement with the Azzurri about an extension.