New Bayer Leverkusen head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that the club still require four to five more signings to be ready for the 2025/26 season, following a busy summer of both arrivals and high-profile departures at the BayArena.
Softfootball gathered that the Dutchman, previously in charge at Ajax and Manchester United, confirmed that despite having already brought in some players this summer, Leverkusen are actively working to further reinforce the squad before the transfer window closes.
Ten Hag, who succeeded Xabi Alonso at the end of May after the Spaniard guided the club to a historic double two seasons ago, faces the challenge of ushering in a new era after the departures of key figures such as Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong, and Jonathan Tah.
Wirtz and Frimpong joined Liverpool, while Xhaka made a surprise move to Premier League newcomers Sunderland. Tah, the club’s former captain, signed for Bayern Munich.
Ten Hag told the club media:
“These kinds of things are part of football at the highest level.
“Players come and go you cannot prevent it. But when four or five leave in a single window, it becomes difficult to continue building momentum. Still, it’s something that has to be done.”
Ten Hag said the club needs four to five players, he said:
“We need four to five more players.
“We are at the start of a new era, and while the first outlines are visible, there are still many weaknesses. Certain positions must be strengthened if we are to reach our goal of finishing in the top four.”
Among the new arrivals are Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Netherlands international goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford, and USA playmaker Malik Tillman, who joins from Bayern Munich. Other signings include Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and French winger Alan Virginius, who have been pushed by the club.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s Leverkusen began pre-season with a heavy 5-1 defeat to Flamengo’s U20S but recovered with wins over VfL Bochum, Fortuna Sittard and Pisa. They will face Chelsea in their final friendlies before competitive football resumes.
Leverkusen will open their domestic campaign with a DFB Cup first-round trip to Sonnenhof Großaspach on 15 August. A week later, they face Hoffenheim in their Bundesliga opener, a match that will offer early insight into how far along Ten Hag’s rebuild has progressed.
