Bayer Leverkusen 2025/26 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions

A very different-looking Bayer Leverkusen squad will approach the new season focused on rebuilding a title-contending team.

Last season, Bayer Leverkusen struggled to replicate the form that led them to their historic double in 2023/24, yet still managed a solid second-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Their bid to defend the DFB-Pokal ended in a stunning upset, as they were eliminated in the semi-finals by third-division side Arminia Bielefeld.

In the Champions League, Die Werkself's campaign was cut short in the round of 16 by fellow Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who secured a comprehensive 5-0 aggregate victory.

Following the end of the season, Leverkusen’s double-winning team began to fall apart, and Die Werkself will head into the new campaign with a significantly reshaped squad and a new head coach in charge.

Pre-season performances

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has taken on the challenging role of succeeding Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen’s BayArena and is working to instill his philosophy in the squad.

Ten Hag's tenure got off to a rocky start with a heavy 5-1 defeat to the U20 side of Brazilian club Flamengo in his first pre-season friendly, reigniting some of the criticism he faced during his time at Manchester United.

However, since that setback, Die Werkself have bounced back strongly, securing three consecutive pre-season victories over Bochum (2-0), Fortuna Sittard (2-1) and most recently Pisa (3-0).

Leverkusen face Chelsea in their fourth and final pre-season friendly on Friday before opening their 2025/26 competitive campaign against Regionalliga side Grossaspach in the first round of the DFB-Pokal next week.

See the higlights from Leverkusen's 5-1 defeat to Flamengo U20 below.

Transfers

As previously noted, Bayer Leverkusen will enter the new season with a significantly reshaped squad.

Not only has Xabi Alonso departed as head coach, but the club has also lost several key players

Most notably, Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool) and Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) have all left the club, leaving significant gaps in the team.

In addition, Long-serving first-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is reportedly close to a transfer to Monaco after losing his starting spot in pre-season.

Loan players Mario Hermoso, Nordi Mukiele, and Emi Buendia returned to their parent clubs, while Odilon Kossounou and Gustavo Puerta, out on loan last season, departed permanently.

Several players have also been sent out on loan, including Matej Kovar, who has joined PSV.

On the incoming side, attacking midfielder Malik Tillman and centre-back Jarrel Quansah have arrived from PSV and Liverpool, respectively, each for a record-breaking fee of €35 million.

Die Werkself have also brought in experienced goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Brentford, alongside a host of promising youngsters, including highly-rated 19-year-old Ibrahim Maza from Hertha BSC, who is expected to make an immediate impact.

Predicted starting lineup

3-4-2-1: Flekken - Tapsoba, Quansah, Hincapié - Tella, Andrich, Garcia, Grimaldo - Maza, Adli - Schick.

New signings Mark Flekken and Jarrell Quansah look certain to start right away, with fellow newcomer Ibrahim Maza also pushing for a spot in the lineup.

Robert Andrich has been playing with the captain's armband in pre-season and looks set to be given a bigger role in central midfield following Granit Xhaka's departure.

Exequiel Palacios sustained an injury during Leverkusen’s friendly win over Pisa, meaning that Aleix Garcia will most likely start the new season alongside Andrich in central midfield.

Further up the pitch, Malik Tillman and Victor Boniface could eventually slot in for Maza and Adli once they return to full fitness. 

Predictions for the upcoming season

With so many changes over the summer, Erik ten Hag will need time to fully shape his new project at Bayer Leverkusen.

But given the quality that remains in the squad, a realistic target for the club will be to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League once more.