Vedran Corluka leaves Tottenham to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan
Vedran Corluka leaves Tottenham to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the rest of the season.Berbatov to hold Leverkusen talks
According to reports in the press, Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov is in Germany to hold talks with representatives from his former club Bayer Leverkusen. The Manchester United forward, who has been long linked with a move back to Germany, was spotted taking a flight to Frankfurt.
Berbatov has fallen downing the pecking order at United and Leverkusen, whom he left several years back to join Tottenham, are more than happy to take him back. However the Werkself face competition from domestic rivals Bayern Munich, who see Berbatov as a replacement for the outgoing Ivica Olic, as well as cash rich Russian side Anzhi, who have Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos on their roster.
Berbatov has denied wanting to move away from Man Utd, but with his contract due to run out in the summer, a decision is expected to be finalised soon.
Hannover 96 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen dropped out of the top five of the Bundesliga when they lost 1-0 to Hannover 96 on Saturday. Dutch striker Arnold Bruggink scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute. Leverkusen were tied on points with Wolfsburg but were ahead on goal difference, and this loss has seen them concede fifth spot to the Wolves.
Hannover were determined not to allow Bayer space in the attacking third of the pitch, and defended resolutely. Bayer skipper Simon Rolfes rued his side’s inability to break Hannover down.
Hannover took the lead through Bruggink in the 33rd minute, assisted by fellow striker Jan Schlaudraff.
Bruggink and former Leverkusen player Jacek Krzynowek both had opportunities to kill the game off in the second half, but were unable to do so.
Bayer’s best chance of the game came in the first half, when Hannover keeper Robert Enke had to produce an excellent save to deny Stefan Kießlin.
Toni Kroos also made his first appearance in a Bayer shirt, but even his presence could not stop Leverkusen from slumping to a defeat.
Toni Kroos joins Bayer Leverkusen on loan
Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos has joined former Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen on loan till the end of the season. Kroos is Leverkusen’s third winter signing after Thomas Zdebel and Gabor Kiraly.
The 19 year old Kroos made his Bayern Munich debut in September 2007. He was sold by Rostock to Bayern in 2006 for €100,000.
Kroos is regarded as the one of the hottest talents in German football, and has been tipped by the legendary Uli Hoeneß as a future number 10.
Kroos is the second Bayern player to go out on loan in January. Reserves player Georg Niedermeier was the first, going to Stuttgart on a one and a half year loan.