Bayer Leverkusen secures a €35 million transfer of Ben Seghir amid early setbacks under Ten Hag's management

Bayer Leverkusen's recent draw against Werder Bremen on Saturday has added to the speculation surrounding the future of manager Erik ten Hag, who has only managed to secure one point from their first two Bundesliga games this season.

Amid the uncertainty, Leverkusen have bolstered their squad with the signing of Moroccan international Eliesse Ben Seghir from AS Monaco for a reported fee of €35m.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder, who has 11 senior caps for Morocco, is expected to make his Leverkusen debut against Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12, although the Champions League opener against Copenhagen on September 18 could also be a possibility for his first appearance.

Ben Seghir, who has signed a five-year contract with the German club, enjoyed a successful 2022-23 Ligue 1 season with Monaco, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 33 appearances. He also completed the second-most dribbles among Monaco players with 35 and created 33 chances for his teammates.

Ten Hag's arrival at Leverkusen followed Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid, and he has since overseen a significant overhaul of the squad. Notable departures include Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Lukas Hradecky, and Amine Adli, among others.

Despite the changes, Leverkusen were crowned Bundesliga champions for the 2023-24 season, a testament to the club's strong foundation and potential for success with the addition of Ben Seghir and other new recruits. The Moroccan midfielder's arrival is a promising sign for Leverkusen fans, who will be eager to see him contribute to the team's continued success.