Erik ten Hag closes in on new centre-back as Bayer Leverkusen reach agreement with Sevilla after defender rejects Bournemouth transfer

According to Footmercato, Leverkusen have reached an agreement with Sevilla over a €30 million (£25m/$35m) transfer for Bade, who was under contract until 2029. Leverkusen still need to agree personal terms with Bade, including contract length, but this is expected to be straightforward as he is eager to join after being convinced by their project and European prospects.

Sevilla signed Bade on a permanent basis in January 2023 after an initial loan from Rennes the previous summer, paying €12m (£10m/$14m). Since then he has made 60 appearances, won the 2023 Europa League and earned his first call up to the French national team under Didier Deschamps for the Nations League match against Germany. His performances have since attracted interest from several European clubs, including Bournemouth and Inter.

Leverkusen are in dire need to strengthen further after a summer exodus that saw star centre-back Jonathan Tah leave for Bayern Munich, after seeing Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong head to Liverpool and Granit Xhaka to Sunderland. They have signed Jarell Quansah from the Reds to help fill the void left by Tah, while 20-year-old Abdoulaye Faye was brought in from Hacken and and Tim Oermann joined from Bochum, but at 25 years old Bade may offer the experience coach Erik ten Hag is looking for.

Leverkusen will hope to have the Bade deal wrapped up before their Bundesliga campaign kicks off this weekend with a home game against Hoffenheim.