After leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic title, Xabi Alonso managed to keep the team’s core intact – but after this season, that won’t be possible. In fact, although the current season has yet to officially conclude, questions are already mounting over how much of this squad will remain intact come next season.The Spaniard has already announced his departure from the club and is reportedly planning to bring Alejandro Grimaldo with him to Real Madrid. Meanwhile, center-back Jonathan Tah appeared to bid farewell to fans alongside the Spanish coach after the weekend match against Dortmund. Tah, along with star midfielder Florian Wirtz, is said to be on Bayern Munich’s radar, with the Bavarian giants looking to secure both players in a package deal.Liverpool are in talks to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, per @FabrizioRomanoThe Dutch wing back has 74 G/A in 190 games for Leverkusen and has a reported release clause of $39M ⚡ pic.twitter.com/zrRqJd9bPz— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 13, 2025 But the exodus likely won’t end there. Leverkusen is also expected to lose its second wing-back, Jeremie Frimpong. While the two German players may stay in the Bundesliga and Grimaldo returns to his native Spain, the 24-year-old Dutch appears to be heading for the Premier League – specifically, to the newly crowned champions, Liverpool.It had long been clear that Leverkusen wouldn’t be able to hold onto Frimpong forever, especially after his standout performances this season. It was only a matter of when, not if, he would take the next step in his career. That time has come, and he’s now poised to join the rest of Leverkusen’s departing stars in what is shaping up to be a full-scale dismantling of the title-winning squad.##NAJAVA_MECA_8925866##Frimpong’s move gained traction after Trent Alexander-Arnold informed Liverpool he would not be renewing his contract. With that decision, the Merseyside club quickly intensified its search for a replacement. While manager Arne Slot hinted last week that he might give academy product Conor Bradley a shot, it now appears the Northern Ireland international will have to continue waiting for his chance from the bench.Liverpool has already reached out to Leverkusen officials to inquire about Frimpong’s availability and swiftly followed up to discuss the structure of his release clause, which reportedly lies between €35 million and €40 million. At the same time, negotiations with the player have begun, and Frimpong has expressed his desire to join fellow Dutchman Slot at Anfield. Reports from multiple sources suggest that talks are progressing rapidly, with German outlet Kicker stating that a deal is close.Manchester City tried to snatch Trent awayWith Frimpong, the Reds will gain a player with a similar profile to Alexander-Arnold – attack-minded but occasionally vulnerable in defense. For Leverkusen, his departure marks the loss of a player who was instrumental to their success. Last season, he recorded 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. This year, he has already tallied five goals and 12 assists – remarkable numbers for a wing-back.His contributions were maximized in Xabi Alonso’s ultra-attacking system, where wing-backs played a pivotal role alongside Florian Wirtz. However, Frimpong’s future at Leverkusen may have been uncertain even if he stayed. Kicker reports that the club is likely to shift to a back four next season, as all leading candidates for the managerial role, including Cesc Fabregas, Erik ten Hag, and Imanol Alguacil, prefer that formation.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Frimpong began his football journey at Manchester City’s academy, joining at the age of nine. Without making a first-team appearance for City, he was snapped up by Celtic in 2019 for just €380,000, a move that proved to be a masterstroke for the Scottish club. Two years later, they sold him to Leverkusen for €11 million. Now, Frimpong is set to return to the UK, only this time as a fully developed and highly sought-after player.
