Leverkusen's Spending Spree Comes With a Hefty Price Tag for a Manager Who Barely Lasted a Season
Published on 08/06/2026 at 11:31 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
The Bundesliga club's aggressive squad overhaul has already generated more than €230 million in player sales — but one of the costliest moves of the summer isn't a transfer at all. It's the payout owed to a coach who was shown the door after just a few months in charge.
Kasper Hjulmand, the Danish manager brought in during the latter half of last season, will receive a seven-figure severance package following his dismissal. The decision to part ways was made in early June, though the financial terms only surfaced publicly in August. His brief tenure ended with the club finishing sixth in the table — a result that left Leverkusen outside the Champions League places and prompted a change of direction.
Stepping into the role is Carles Martinez, who arrives from Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a contract running through 2028. The 2023 Coupe de France winner inherits a squad in transition. Pre-season begins with a cup fixture against SV Wehen Wiesbaden, followed by a league opener against SV Elversberg on 29 August.
A Familiar Face Returns to Replace a Departing Star
The headline signing is Miguel Gutiérrez, acquired from SSC Napoli. The 25-year-old Spaniard, a product of Real Madrid's youth system, is tasked with filling the void left by Alejandro Grimaldo, who moved to Atletico Madrid for roughly €25 million.
Leverkusen will pay up to €30 million for Gutiérrez including bonuses, with the base fee set at €26 million. He arrives off the back of 36 appearances last season and has put pen to paper on a deal until 2031. Sporting director Simon Rolfes described him as the club's "absolute dream solution."
The overall transfer activity has been substantial. With around 30 squad movements, Leverkusen have brought in approximately €231 million while spending about €200 million. Beyond Grimaldo, the club also parted ways with Alajbegovic, who joined Juventus Turin for a base fee of €30 million. New arrivals include Moreira from Olympique Lyon and Eichhorn from Hertha BSC.
Unrest Beneath the Surface
Not everything is running smoothly behind the scenes. Malik Tillman, whose contract extends to 2030, went public in early August with criticism aimed at both the club's leadership and segments of the fan base. The attacking midfielder, who registered 29 appearances and six goals last season, now faces an uncertain future following his remarks.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen are exploring a reunion with a former favourite. Moussa Diaby, who spent four years at the club between 2019 and 2023, appears close to a return. The 27-year-old French winger, currently at Al-Ittihad, has reportedly signalled his willingness to move — even if it means accepting a significant pay cut. The transfer fee is expected to land below €30 million, though Inter Milan and Benfica Lisbon are also monitoring the situation.
