Leverkusen updates: Austrian keeper set to sign, Garcia deal falls through
Germany's preeminent footballing publication reports that Bayer 04 Leverkusen are on the verge of signing a new back-up for keeper Lukas Hradecky.
In other Werkself news, Kicker journalists Stephan van Nocks and Benni Hofmann also report that the club's attempts to acquire Spanish fullback Fran Garcia have failed.
In other Werkself news, Kicker journalists Stephan van Nocks and Benni Hofmann also report that the club's attempts to acquire Spanish fullback Fran Garcia have failed.
| Patrick Pentz | Werner100359 CC-BY-SA 4.0 |
Pentz had been courted by the Colorado Rapids of America's MLS, but it appears as if Leverkusen have outpaced the Denver-based side. Bayer have been searching for a net-minder to back-up current #1 and captain Lukas Hradecky; possibly seeking a long-term replacement as the skipper ages and declines in form.
Current B04 #2 Andrey Lunev sits on an expiring contract and has been recently plagued by back problems. Pentz maintains an estimated market value of €1.5 million in the latest transfermarkt listings. The Kicker journalists note that a transfer sum in the low six-figures is being discussed. The 26-year-old lost his staring spot with his Ligue 1 side after the first seven match days.
Van Nocks and Hofmann also reported that, earlier today, Real Madrid opted to exercise their "clawback option" on fullback Fran Garcia; a player both the Leverkusen coaching staff and managerial team had been pursuing. The German journalists report that Real Madrid blocked Bayer's acquisition by pulling the clause, then loaning the 23-year-old straight back to Royal Vallecano.
Garcia will be due back at Real this summer.
