Erik ten Hag identifies shock Premier League target to replace Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen have made enquiries about Bournemouth forward Justin Kluivert after selling Florian Wirtz to Liverpool.

Mail Sport reported this week that the Reds have struck an agreement for Wirtz that could rise to an English record £116million including bonuses, such as winning the Premier League and Champions League.

With Wirtz set to become the third-most expensive signing in football history, Leverkusen have wasted no time in using the windfall to line up his replacement.

Ten Hag and Kluivert briefly crossed paths at Ajax during the former Manchester United manager’s first six months with the Eredivisie side.

An Amsterdam native, Kluivert worked his way through Ajax’s youth setup before making his first-team debut in January 2017.

A year later, Ten Hag joined and saw out four-and-a-half years with the Dutch side.

Bayer Leverkusen have approached Bournemouth regarding the signing of Justin Kluivert

The 2024-25 Bundesliga runners-up are looking to replace Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz

Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag briefly crossed paths with Kluivert while they were both at Ajax

But Kluivert left in June 2018 after 56 appearances for the club – six months into Ten Hag’s reign.

Kluivert then spent three seasons at Roma, with the last being a season-long loan at Leipzig.

After two more loan spells – at Nice and Valencia – the 26-year-old has finally settled at Bournemouth, where he recently enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career.

Kluivert registered 18 goal contributions in 34 Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.