GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Bayer Leverkusen wanted to sign four Germany internationals in the summer transfer window. The report added that Bayer Leverkusen currently provide not a single Germany international under Jürgen Klopp, a situation that was prompting internal discussions and “annoying” those in charge at the club.
Summer targets
GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Inter Milan centre-back Yann Aurel Bisseck was too expensive for Bayer Leverkusen. GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United turned Bayer Leverkusen down.
GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Bayer Leverkusen showed interest in Angelo Stiller and that his €36.5 million release clause ran until 15 July. GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Stiller turned Bayer Leverkusen down because he preferred to play in the Champions League with Stuttgart rather than in the Europa League with Bayer Leverkusen.
GOAL, citing Sport Bild, reported that Chris Führich was also a serious option in the summer for both sides of the attack.
Klopp's September squad
GOAL reported that Jürgen Klopp called up all but one of those four players to his 44-man squad in September. GOAL reported that Klopp did not call Angelo Stiller up in September, while Chris Führich featured in the first international under Klopp, against the Netherlands.
Other internal options
GOAL reported that Bayer Leverkusen instead signed Afonso Moreira from Olympique Lyon for €30 million and brought Moussa Diaby back from Saudi Arabia for €25 million. GOAL reported that Bayer CEO Fernando Carro pushed internally for Julian Brandt's return but failed to win over a majority of the decision-makers.
Simon Rolfes said on Doppelpass on Sport1 in March: "We have a superb player in that position in Ibo Maza, who will develop brilliantly over the next few years. So Julian will not be an option for us." GOAL reported that Julian Brandt joined Ajax Amsterdam on a free transfer in the summer and has scored eight goals in 14 competitive appearances for Ajax Amsterdam. GOAL also reported that Jürgen Klopp had not called Julian Brandt up to the national team.
Players in the current squad
GOAL reported that Montrell Culbreath and Kennet Eichhorn remain in Bayer Leverkusen's squad as candidates to cool the debate about the national team at the club.
GOAL reported that Montrell Culbreath broke through after the turn of the year last season and became a regular on the right wing in the second half of the campaign. GOAL reported that he can play as a number 10, a right midfielder or a right-back. GOAL reported that Culbreath suffered a serious foot injury in the friendly against Sevilla FC at the start of August, which sidelined him for two months, and returned to team training in mid-October. GOAL reported that Kennet Eichhorn has been sidelined by a metabolic disorder since his move from Hertha BSC in the summer and is expected to return to full team training at the start of the year.