Bayer Leverkusen pursues the transfer of Miguel Gutiérrez from SSC Neapel. The WM Finalist Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille is an alternative. The Werkself wants to close the deal soon. The 25-year-old left-back is still bound to Napoli until 2030. Another option to Gutiérrez is Medina. As the club-friendly medium „Le Phoceen“ wrote a few days ago, the Rheinländer have started talks with OM about a transfer. The South Frenchmen are reportedly open to negotiations, but want to recoup their investment for the 27-year-old, which amounts to a total of 20 million euros. The defender, who can play both in the center and on the left, was initially loaned to RC Lens for a fee of 2 million euros in 2025, before being optioned for 18 million euros until 2030. At this level, the market value of the Argentine WM Finalist is also located. The „Kicker“ even reported that Marseille demands at least 25 million euros. More than that, the Ligue 1 club has only taken five times in its club history. Leverkusen has spent six times more, but never for a player over 26. Also, Medina would then be more expensive than Grimaldo, for whom Bayer 04 received 22 million euros from Atlético Madrid. In total, the Leverkuseners have 68 million euros in income and 55 million euros in expenses this summer. The club's interest in Medina, who played in five of the eight games at the WM, is not new. Already when he was under contract with Lens, the Werkself is said to have had an eye on him. Above all, due to his profile, as he can be deployed in both a three-man and a four-man defense. The „Kicker“ also describes the South American as a similar player type to Piero Hincapié, who switched to FC Arsenal for 40 million euros.

Also El Ouahdi candidate at Bayer Leverkusen Handled at the German champion of 2024 is also for right-back Zakaria El Ouahdi from KRC Genk. The 24-year-old, who also started at the WM, but only once for Morocco as a backup of PSG-prof Achraf Hakimi, is said to be in the closer selection at Leverkusen. Further, the efforts seem not to go on. El Ouahdi came to Genk in 2023, played 112 games with 32 scorers and is still bound to Genk until 2028. His market value amounts to a personal high of 17 million euros. Leverkusen currently has no regular left-back in the squad, with Arthur and Lucas Vázquez available for right-back (see below for squad).