Bayer confirm three more departures
Bayer 04 Leverkusen officially confirmed the non-renewal of three more expiring contracts on Monday.
After confirming that German winger Karim Bellarabi would be departing his long-time club after the season concludes last week, Bayer 04 Leverkusen also announced that the expiring contracts of fullback Daley Sinkgraven (27), keeper Andrey Lunev (31), and defensive midfielder Ayman Azhil (22) would also not be renewed on Monday.
Lunev - who has been with the club since the summer of 2021 - became expendable when die Werkself signed Austrian keeper Patrick Pentz this past January. The seven-times-capped Russian international ended up making a total of two league appearances for the Germany's red company team. Azhil made just one appearance for the Bayer professionals after returning from an extended loan spell in Holland this past summer.
Sinkgraven was by far the most experienced player for the club. The former Dutch youth international followed former Ajax coach Peter Bosz to Germany in the summer of 2019 and was often used by Bosz in the Champions and Europa League competitions. He made a total of 59 league appearances for Bayer in total, including 12 under Gerardo Seoane and Xabi Alonso this year. He registered two assists
Sinkgraven - with an estimated market value of €4 million - may be considered the most likely candidate to latch on elsewhere. Bellarabi has already confirmed that, should he continue his career, if will no longer be in Germany. After spending so much time with Leverkusen, Bellarabi publicly stated that he "didn't want to face his former family."
The Westphalians will also be shedding on-loan Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi after the current campaign wraps up. The young English winger failed to impress during his loan stint and hasn't made a meaningful appearance since February. He registered just one assist with his German club this past autumn.
👏 Wir bedanken uns bei Andrey #Lunev, Daley #Sinkgraven, Ayman #Azhil und @Calteck10 für ihren Einsatz für die #Werkself. Danke, Jungs und viel Erfolg bei euren nächsten Stationen! 🙏
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) May 21, 2023
🔜 #B04BMG | #Bundesliga | #Bayer04 | #Werkself pic.twitter.com/dE0bDvgfcy