Milan's interest in Xhaka: Bayer and the dangerous domino effect

Currently not taking a clear position: Granit Xhaka. picture alliance / NurPhoto

With Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich) and Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool FC), two Leverkusen star performers are already history. This week, top star Florian Wirtz , who is also moving to Liverpool , will join the list of painful departures from the German runners-up.

It's a well-known fact that a club like Bayer 04 has to sell players time and again. The double winner has consistently drawn financial substance from such transfers for subsequent sporting success. This is set to happen again this summer.

The current scenario has a completely new, rather unusual tone for Bayer 04. The virtually certain departures of key figures like Wirtz, Frimpong, Tah, and even successful coach Xabi Alonso have created a dangerous domino effect. Hardly a day goes by without a seasoned Bayer player being linked with a move, if not the player in question himself.

Left-back Alejandro Grimaldo once again publicly pondered a move to Spain in an interview. According to his agent, central defender Piero Hincapie is ready for the next step in his career and a move to a top European club.

Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky hasn't ruled out a move if a club sees him as the clear number one and thus offers the Finnish international more playing time than Leverkusen expects after signing Brentford's Mark Flekken . International striker and defensive midfielder Robert Andrich has also expressed his desire to move , given his dwindling World Cup chances if he remains largely a reserve.

Attacker Jonas Hofmann had already given free rein to his frustration and his thoughts of a transfer as a permanent reserve under Xabi Alonso. And center forward Patrik Schick recently left his future at Bayer 04 open again .

Six players who have been pillars of Leverkusen's success in the past are questioning their future under the Bayer logo, and are themselves fueling the issue. The biggest remaining key figure has also done so repeatedly in recent weeks: Granit Xhaka .

First, he announced his unrealistic imminent return to FC Basel in front of a packed crowd at the club's St. Jakob-Park. Then, at a press conference during the Swiss national team's US tour, he left it open whether he would also be a member of the Werkself next season . Before AC Milan expressed interest in the 32-year-old midfield strategist.

The new sporting director there, Igli Tare, has the Xhaka issue on his agenda, which he intends to address after the signing of veteran Real Madrid star Luka Modric (39). This is assuming the idea meets with the approval of Milan's club owner. According to various Italian sources, Milan intends to contact the Bundesliga club next week. But Bayer hasn't (yet?) heard anything about this.

Whether Tare and Milan take action isn't the decisive factor. Rather, the internal impact of this and all the other exit stories of current Bayer players is dangerous. They give the remaining stars the impression that all the players are leaving or want to leave.

Bayer now needs a sense of optimism rather than doom. Xhaka would be the ideal, but also practically the only remaining, driving force for this campaign. But the veteran is clearly not ready for this role.

The club will therefore have to send clear signals. Through strong transfers that inject fresh substance into the squad and maintain or rebuild belief in Bayer 04 as title contenders. And through clear statements: internally to reaffirm their appreciation to the players – and externally to dispel the growing question marks.

Because regardless of whether these concerns are objectively justified, their subjective perception creates a breeding ground for an unhealthy mood. A picture that paints a picture of a top team falling apart. And thus creates a perception among Xhaka, Grimaldo, and co. that can quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy in this sometimes irrational business.

Every clear action, every confidence-building measure, every unequivocal word, every unconditional commitment, every no-brainer statement from club bosses Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, or even from coach Erik ten Hag, can only be helpful to Bayer 04, and not just in the Xhaka case. Before the mood of disintegration takes on a life of its own.