Bayer Leverkusen Seeks Premier League Forward Kluivert to Replace Wirtz Amid £116m Liverpool Transfer

Bayer Leverkusen, having secured a record £116 million deal to sell Florian Wirtz to Liverpool, are targeting Bournemouth forward Justin Kluivert as his replacement. Leverkusen’s new manager, Erik ten Hag, who previously managed Manchester United and Ajax, is leading the pursuit of Kluivert, viewing him as an ideal fit for the team’s system and a key player to fill the void left by Wirtz. However, Bournemouth has firmly indicated that Kluivert is not for sale, although owner Bill Foley has suggested they might consider offers if the price is right, likely well above the £9.6 million they paid for him last year. Kluivert, 26, has impressed in the Premier League with 12 goals and six assists last season and has a contract running until 2028. Bournemouth is also managing other potential departures, including Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and interest in Illia Zabarnyi and Antoine Semenyo from other clubs. It remains uncertain if Leverkusen will make a formal bid or if the transfer will materialize, as the Cherries prefer to retain their versatile Dutch attacker.