"Charly brought the muscular problems back from his holiday. He's an important player for us so the injury obviously hurts us," said Peter Bosz who explained that Aránguiz had to break off a training run back home. As the Chilean had further problems with his calf in yesterday's warm-up, an MRI scan was organised for the evening. The 30-year-old flew back to Germany on Tuesday morning for further investigations. A final diagnosis remains to be made. Despite that, Bosz made it clear: "He will stay in Leverkusen and can start rehab there straight away."
Kerem Demirbay's injury is less severe. The 26-year-old twisted his ankle in training yesterday but examinations did not reveal any serious injury. "His ankle was taped this morning and we hoped he could join in. But I saw straight away that he was limping a bit. Therefore we didn't want to take any risks with today's football fitness training as that's when the risk is highest," said the head coach. Demirbay returned to the team hotel early but should be back in training in the short term.
There was also positive news from La Manga, for example with today's training session. Speaking about the fitness session that is usually the toughest of the week, Bosz said: "I was very happy with the session today. I'm very satisfied!" After the warm-up, the coach had his players practising intense attacking football in 11 against 11 with four 13 minute games. After two rounds the number of players was reduced to ten against ten and it finished with one less player on each side.
At the end of the session, Bayer 04 youngster Emrehan Gedikli from the U17s made an appearance. The 16-year-old is currently staying at the same hotel with the Germany U 17 team for a course and, without further ado, he swapped the Germany shirt for a Black and Red one. That all happened under the eyes of the Germany U21 coach Stefan Kuntz who was on the touchline to watch proceedings on the pitch.
After the very intensive session, the Werkself rested on Monday afternoon to gather strength for tomorrow – as once again there are two sessions planned for the day. The morning training will be held behind closed doors. The session in the afternoon is open. All fans at home will be able to see the Werkself on Friday 10 January. Both games on the double matchday against FC Utrecht (15.00 CET) and FC St Gallen (16.00 CET) will be broadcast live on bayer04.de, Facebook and YouTube. It's worth taking a note of those times now.
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
Show more
Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
Show more
Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
Show more
He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
Show more
