Tillman is considering a quick exit from Leverkusen, with Premier League clubs on alert

Malik Tillman could already be heading for the Leverkusen exit after difficult first season

Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 carrying the weight of a major transfer fee and even bigger expectations. At 23, the United States international was not signed to be a squad player or a long term project slowly eased into the side. He was brought in as the clubs record signing, with Leverkusen paying 35 million euros to PSV in the belief that he could help fill the enormous gap left by Florian Wirtz after his move to Liverpool. It was a statement signing from a club that wanted to remain ambitious, but only a short time later, the mood around both player and club appears to have shifted dramatically.

Instead of becoming one of the central faces of a new Leverkusen era, Tillman is now reportedly considering a quick departure. The season has not gone the way either side would have imagined when the deal was completed. His numbers are not disastrous, with 8 goals and 1 assist in 37 appearances, but the broader feeling is that the partnership has never fully settled. The chemistry that was supposed to develop between player, coach and club seems to have been replaced by uncertainty, frustration and the growing sense that this was never the right fit under the current circumstances.

Part of the problem is that Tillman stepped into a club that was changing more quickly than expected. When he first arrived, there was one sporting vision in place. Erik ten Hag had only just begun his work and there was a belief that Leverkusen were entering a fresh cycle with a clear plan. That stability did not last. Ten Hag was soon replaced by Kasper Hjulmand, and with that came a shift in tactical priorities, squad hierarchy and the roles assigned to individual players. For a footballer trying to establish himself in a new environment, that sort of instability can be a serious obstacle.

Reports suggest Hjulmand has never been fully convinced by Tillman, and that lack of full belief appears to have affected the midfielders role more and more as the season has gone on. His playing time has reportedly declined, and the relationship between coach and player is said to be far from ideal. From Tillman side, there is believed to be frustration that his best qualities are not being used in the coaches preferred system. He is a player who thrives when given freedom, rhythm and the chance to influence attacking phases naturally, but if the tactical structure limits that, it is easy to understand why dissatisfaction would begin to grow.

There is also said to be another issue behind the scenes. Tillman reportedly feels that he has not been properly integrated into the inner circle of leaders within the Leverkusen dressing room. That may sound like a secondary detail, but in reality it can make a major difference. Players do not only need minutes and tactical clarity. They also need to feel trusted, included and important within the wider group. When a big signing starts to feel isolated from the core of the squad, it often becomes much harder for him to settle, especially when results and performances are not fully convincing.

From the clubs point of view, this is not an easy situation to manage. Leverkusen are not thought to be eager to let Tillman go after only one season. They still have him under contract until 2030 and, given the scale of the investment, there is a strong financial and sporting incentive to remain patient. Clubs do not spend that level of money only to give up at the first sign of difficulty. Internally, there is likely still a belief that the talent is there and that the right environment could yet bring the best out of him.

Even so, football decisions are rarely made in a vacuum. Much may depend on what happens with Hjulmand at the end of the season. If he remains in charge and continues to see Tillman as a player who does not fully suit his ideas, then the clubs position could soften. There is little value in forcing a player to stay when the coach does not entirely trust him and the player himself feels he cannot thrive in the system. In that scenario, a summer exit would become much more realistic, even if it is not the preferred plan right now.

If that door opens, the Premier League could quickly become the most likely destination. Brentford and Fulham are both said to remain interested, just as they were last summer, and there are obvious reasons why English football might appeal to Tillman. The pace, the tactical openness and the emphasis on transitions could suit his game, while a fresh start away from the current tension in Leverkusen might be exactly what he needs. For a player still only 23, the idea of restarting his trajectory in a league that values athleticism, technical quality and attacking instinct would make plenty of sense.

There is also the timing of the next World Cup to consider. Tillman is expected to be involved with the United States as the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States approaches, and regular football at club level will be crucial if he wants to arrive at that competition in the best possible shape. Players entering a World Cup cycle tend to think very carefully about their environment, their minutes and their confidence. If Tillman feels that he is drifting into a secondary role at Leverkusen, he may decide that a move is necessary not just for his club career, but for his international future as well.

What makes this story especially striking is how quickly the tone has changed. Just months ago, Tillman move to Leverkusen looked like one of the most exciting steps of the summer window. It had ambition, logic and clear upside for both sides. Now, instead of talking about how high his ceiling might be at the club, the conversation has shifted towards whether he will even stay long enough to see out a second season. That kind of turn says a lot about how quickly modern football can change when the tactical context, the coaching staff and the dressing room dynamic do not align.

Leverkusen still have time to change the picture. A strong finish to the season, a better understanding between coach and player or a clearer role within the squad could yet calm the speculation. But at this stage, the uncertainty is very real. Tillman remains a gifted and valuable player, yet the gap between expectation and reality has become too large to ignore. If nothing changes in the coming months, his first year in Germany may also become his last, and a fast move away could end up being the solution that suits everyone.