Attacker Ernest Poku (22) poised for Bayer Leverkusen exit, two Premier League clubs interested

Attacker Ernest Poku (22) poised for Bayer Leverkusen exit, two Premier League clubs interested Sport Bild reports that at least two Premier League clubs are interested in acquiring Bayer Leverkusen attacker Ernest Poku. Sunderland and Nottingham Forest are listed as potential suitors. Poku scored five goals and contributed eight assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for die Werkself last season. The tabloid claims that Leverkusen are willing to part company with Poku immediately. Matters could move quickly in the case of the 22-year-old.  A transfer could be finalized within a week.  Ernest Poku’s short Bayer Leverkusen tenure Leverkusen paid approximately €10m to sign Poku from AZ Alkmaar in August 2025. The Hamburg-born Dutch youth international arrived after scoring twice during the Netherlands’ run to the semi-finals of the 2025 European U21 Championship. Poku initially expected to work under fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag. The new Leverkusen coach’s dismissal after only two Bundesliga fixtures nevertheless left the 21-year-old working under Kasper Hjulmand. After three consecutive substitute appearances, Poku earned a regular starting role on the left-hand side of the attack. He scored his first Bundesliga goal against St. Pauli in his native Hamburg and soon began producing regularly under Hjulmand. At one point, there was even talk of a potential switch of national allegiances to Germany. By early November, Poku had contributed four goals and two assists across six Bundesliga appearances. The speedy winger capped this excellent run with a brace in a 6-0 victory over Heidenheim. All told, the Dutchman started 30 fixtures and logged 2,822 competitive minutes. His goal-scoring form certainly declined after November. The latest coaching change (from Hjulmand to Martin Demichelis) leaves Poku once again without a reliable partner on the sidelines. The Bundesliga club has other options for Poku’s position and the player himself might appreciate a chance to operate from a more centralized position at a Premier League club. GGFN  |  Peter Weis