Has Bayer Leverkusen been taken for a ride? The outrageously expensive replacement for Wirtz symbolises a string of poor transfer decisions

Underwhelming Performances

Bayer signed eight players in the summer, each for a fee in the tens of millions. Now, the most expensive of that group is reportedly contemplating a swift exit.

Derby Introduction

In Saturday's 2-1 derby win over 1. FC Köln, Bayer Leverkusen finally introduced their big-money trio. Manager Kasper Hjulmand sent on Malik Tillman, Equi Fernandez and Eliesse Ben Seghir in quick succession—a €92m investment from last summer.

• Malik Tillman is the most expensive signing
• Each player cost at least €25 million
• The trio's total investment is €92m

Lack of Patience

While Bayer's hierarchy repeatedly stresses that it will be patient with the new arrivals in their newly assembled squad under the new manager, the player who reportedly lacks precisely that patience is the one who, with the highest transfer fee, was regarded as the 'star signing' before the season began: Malik Tillman.