Bayer Leverkusen boss rules out Julian Brandt return, yet leaves door open for Kai Havertz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has ruled out a Leverkusen return for soon to be Borussia Dortmund free-agent Julian Brandt.

Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro explicitly stated that he would love to see Brandt return to his former Bundesliga club after the current season concludes yesterday.

Carro nevertheless also specifically noted that Brandt’s return hinged on whether or not “Simon [Rolfes] wants him“. Rolfes made clear that Brandt’s position was filled.

Simon Rolfes rules out Leverkusen return for Julian Brandt

“We have a great player in that position in Ibo Maza [Ibrahim Maza] who will develop excellently over the next few years,” Rolfes noted on Germany’s famed Sunday footballing roundtable Doppelpass on Sport1 “It is such that Julian will not be an option for us. I’ve always said that I’m skeptical about bringing back former players.“

Rolfes then went on to note that there were two exceptions to that. Current Premier League players Kai Havertz (Arsenal) and Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) are welcome back at Germany’s red company team at any time. Rolfes offered up some comments on Havertz as the discussion went on.

Rolfes opens door for Kai Havertz 

“There will always be a situation where we’re open to talking with Kai,” Rolfes said. “Right now, he’s in a different phase of his career and has other goals. He feels very comfortable at Arsenal. But Kai is always a special player whom we have to keep an eye on, even as a former player.”