Bayer Leverkusen have gone from having three players in Germany’s starting XI at Euro 2024 to being completely absent from Jürgen Klopp’s extended 44-man squad.
According to Sport Bild, this is a source of considerable frustration for Leverkusen’s decision-makers, who actually made an effort to sign German players over the summer.
The report claims that Die Werkself targeted Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Yann Bisseck (Inter Milan), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Chris Führich (Stuttgart) and Julian Brandt (Ajax) – but ultimately didn't end up signing any of them.
Thiaw and Stiller reportedly turned down the opportunity to join Leverkusen, while Bisseck was deemed too expensive.
As for Führich, Leverkusen ultimately strengthened their wings by signing Afonso Moreira and Moussa Diaby instead.
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro was reportedly keen to bring former Werkself player Julian Brandt back to the club following the midfielder’s contract expiry at Borussia Dortmund.
However, Carro was unable to secure sufficient support within the club, and Brandt ultimately moved to Ajax instead.