Bayer Leverkusen & Erik ten Hag identify shock Premier League star as ideal replacement for Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz

Leverkusen are not expected to go for a big name as they seek to move on from Wirtz, with his £116 million (£157m) transfer to Liverpool moving towards completion. Instead, talkSPORT reports that Justin Kluivert has been the subject of an enquiry made to Bournemouth. Another option, according to Voetbal International, is PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko.

Kluivert has been around the block since a breakthough at Ajax almost a decade ago, but the 26-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career for Bournemouth in 2024-25. It is claimed by talkSPORT that Ten Hag, known for his influence over recruitment at Manchester United, is "driving the potential move" due to his belief that Kluivert is the "perfect profile" to replace Wirtz.

Bournemouth consider Kluivert not for sale, but are not expected to stand in the way of a transfer if the right price is offered. There is no release clause, unlike the case for Dean Huijsen when he joined Real Madrid recently, so a fee between Leverkusen and Bournemouth would need to be negotiated.

Bournemouth's squad could look very different next season. Huijsen has already gone, Milos Kerkez could soon too if Liverpool follow through with longstanding transfer interest, while the Cherries could also let PSG-linked Illia Zabarnyi and versatile forward Antonine Semenyo leave if offers come in. Manager Andoni Iraola looks set to stay, however, after Tottenham poached Thomas Frank from Brentford instead.