Deal on the horizon
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Bayer Leverkusen is preparing to sign a replacement for Florian Wirtz. For several weeks, US Men’s National Team standout Malik Tillman has been linked to a move to the reigning Bundesliga champions. Dutch outlet Voetbal International, which was the first to report that the two parties had agreed on personal terms, now states that both clubs have come to an agreement. Transfermarkt can confirm the report from Fabrizio Romano, indicating that while an agreement is in place, Bayern Munich still holds the ability to influence the potential transfer.
The 23-year-old playmaker is a product of the Bayern Munich academy and made a permanent move to PSV for €12 million following a prior loan. This contract included an exit clause, which PSV expressed concerns about, suggesting that it could only be activated by Bayern Munich in 2025.
Bayern included a matching rights clause when they sold Tillman to Eindhoven last summer. Both Leverkusen and the player believed that any club could activate the exit clause after a specified date. However, PSV disputed this, leading to potential legal implications. Fortunately, all parties have since reached a resolution. The entire deal is valued at €40 million. Only Bayern could pose a risk to this transfer, but there are no indications that the Rekordmeister is inclined to interfere.
Tillman makes history as second-highest fee for USMNT player
Once finalized, Tillman will become the second-most-expensive USMNT player in history. The current record is held by Christian Pulisic, who transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea for €64 million in the 2018/19 season. Why is Leverkusen ready to invest significantly in Tillman? The playmaker scored 16 goals and provided five assists in 24 matches, boosting his market value to €32 million, making him the third most valuable player in the Dutch Eredivisie. With his rapid ascent, Leverkusen hopes Tillman can successfully fill the void left by Wirtz. It’s a significant challenge, but Tillman certainly possesses the potential to emerge as a top player in the Bundesliga.