Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has detailed his club’s fine work in the transfer market.

The executive joined Sport1 a day after his side’s incredible 3-0 Bundesliga win over title rivals Bayern Munich.

Asked how he was able to turn Leverkusen from serial losers into winners, he said: “The sale of Kai Havertz [who moved to Chelsea in 2020 for £72million].

“The income allowed us to sign many young players around Florian Wirtz, who have grown.

“This summer we also brought in players who are absolute leaders.”

Rolfes also had comments from former Bayern president Uli Hoeness put to him, with the executive saying Leverkusen ‘got lucky’ in the transfer market, singling out goalscorer Alex Grimaldo, alleging no one wanted him.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case that there was no competition.,” Rolfes said.

“With Grimaldo it was clear to us that we had the chance in the summer. We had had him on our radar for a long time, I was already in Lisbon in 2019 and watched a game.”