Brentford Among Clubs Interested in Bayer Leverkusen Midfielder

Brentford are among the clubs showing interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Malik Tillman ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report from Sport BILD.

The German outlet states that Tillman is weighing up his future at Leverkusen, with Premier League interest emerging as a result. Brentford and Fulham are both named as clubs monitoring the situation, although the report does not suggest that any formal approach has yet been made.

Tillman only joined Leverkusen last summer from PSV Eindhoven in a deal worth around €35 million, a fee that represented a club record at the time. The move was seen as a significant statement, with the 22-year-old arriving to take on a central attacking role in an attempt to fill the creative space left by Florian Wirtz and step into a number 10 position with high expectations attached.

That makes the current situation notable. A player signed for that level of fee, and with that level of responsibility attached to his arrival, would not normally be expected to be looking at his options so soon. However, the report suggests there may be more than one factor at play.

While Leverkusen’s hierarchy are still said to believe in Tillman and do not want to let him go, Sport BILD adds that his future could be shaped by the managerial situation. If Hjulmand remains in charge, against expectations, Tillman is reported to be likely to push for a move, potentially after the World Cup with the United States. That suggests the uncertainty may not be solely about opportunity on the pitch, but also about how the player views his place under the current coach.

From a Brentford perspective, the link fits a familiar recruitment profile. Tillman is a technically strong attacking player who can operate centrally or from wider positions, offering the kind of versatility Brentford have often targeted in advanced areas. His ability to carry the ball and contribute in the final third would align with the attacking flexibility Brentford have built into their system.

At the same time, this should still be viewed as an early-stage development. Sport BILD presents Brentford’s interest as part of a wider group of clubs keeping track of Tillman’s situation, rather than a move that is close to advancing. Fulham’s presence in the report also underlines that Brentford are unlikely to be alone if the situation develops further.

There is also the question of Leverkusen’s own position. Having invested heavily to bring Tillman in, the club would need to decide whether they are prepared to sanction a move so soon, and on what terms. That is likely to shape whether interest from clubs such as Brentford develops into something more concrete over the summer.