The Greek international moved to the Premier League side on an extendable loan deal till the end of the ongoing season.

Spanish side Espanyol wanted to run the rule over the 28-year-old hitman, but Leverkusen turned down their overtures.

"Espanyol's bid for Theofanis Gekas was unacceptable," Leverkusen sporting director Wolfgang Holzhauser told German newspaper Bild.

Frontline Void

The Bundesliga outfit are currently in need of a new forward to fill the frontline void left by Gekas' departure.

Leverkusen have already agreed with FC Basel on a deal for striker Eren Derdiyok, which should be completed by the end of the season.

But Holzhauser pointed out that the signing of the Swiss up-and-coming footballer can't be brought forward during the current transfer window.

"We have spoken to FC Basel about Derdiyok, but they told us they need him in an attempt to win a place in the UEFA Champions League next season," the Leverkusen official added.

"That is about hard cash for Basel and we would only have been able to sign him now, if we put up big money. That was out of the question for us."