Kicker Report: Leverkusen set to extend with Alario and drop pursuit of Azmoun
Journalist Stephan von Nocks of German footballing magazine Kicker reports that Bayer 04 Leverkusen have opted to keep striker Lucas Alario as their second-string lead striker and shelve their pursuit of Iranian attacker Sardar Azmoun.
According to the latest information published by Germany's preeminent footballing publication, the next moves of Germany's red company team after the Leon Bailey sale won't be so very sensational after all. Die Werkself are set to end the discussion of a possible move for Argentine striker Lucas Alario and drop their pursuit of Zenit St. Petersburg's Sardar Azmoun.
Writing on Kicker magazine's website, correspondent Stephan von Nocks reports that Alario has agreed to sign a contract extension through 2024. For now, Azmoun has simply been deemed too expensive at a reported price tag of closer to €30 million. The Bailey sale means that Leverkusen presently need a new winger more exigently than another center-forward.
With regard to two other transfers in the Bayer pipeline, von Nocks notes that negotiations for the sale of striker Joel Pohjanpalo continue and might eventually alter the club's calculus about seeking out another lead attacker. The writer also classifies a move for defender Wendell as "likely", while noting that the Brazilian's recent absence from the team was actually due to injury.