Erik ten Hag arrives on the Bayer Leverkusen bench. The Dutch coach, who recently ended his spell at Manchester United, has been chosen to replace Xabi Alonso. All because the former Leverkusen coach has made the leap to Real Madrid, where he will take the reins of the team.
With this swap of coaches at the benches of two of the continent's most prominent clubs, a new era begins for both Leverkusen and Madrid. Ten Hag lands in Germany with the difficult mission of keeping the competitive level that Xabi left, and of rebuilding a squad that could experience significant departures in this transfer window.
Erik ten Hag faces Wirtz's departure
The Dutchman has already started planning the squad for the 2025-26 season. However, one of the first obstacles he has encountered is the highly likely departure of Florian Wirtz, the great jewel of the German side. According to various reports, the talented attacking midfielder is very close to signing for Liverpool.
The English club would be willing to pay more than €100M (over $108M) for Wirtz's services. For Ten Hag, it would be a very hard blow to lose the most creative and unbalancing footballer in his squad even before the preseason begins. Leverkusen's board is already working to find quality replacements to fill the void that the German international would leave.
He is looking for the replacement at Barça
In this regard, Liverpool are also moving to plan their future without Wirtz, and one of the names that has emerged for Leverkusen is Pablo Torre. According to "El Nacional," the German club has set their sights on the Cantabrian player, who has had little involvement in the first team at the Catalan club during the season.
Pablo Torre could view a move to a team that offers him minutes and prominence favorably. Ten Hag's play style, which favors attacking soccer, could be ideal to enhance the strengths of the young Spanish midfielder. The deal is not closed yet, but it could progress quickly if Wirtz's departure is confirmed.
Another Barça player is on his list
Pablo Torre would not be the only Barça player on Leverkusen's radar. According to the same source, the German club is also interested in Andreas Christensen. The Danish center-back, who has a contract with Barça until 2026, could leave the club this summer if a convincing offer arrives for both the player and the board.
Christensen has been an important player in Barça's defensive rotation, but his continuity is not guaranteed given the Catalan club's need to generate income and balance the books. Leverkusen are looking to strengthen their defense with an experienced profile, and the former Chelsea player would fit perfectly into that idea. Everything points to a busy summer transfer window for both Barça and the new Leverkusen under Ten Hag.