Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan declared earlier this year that Florian Wirtz isn't "world class" just yet, despite his mega-money move to Liverpool. The Reds are poised to splash out a record fee for Wirtz this summer to recruit him from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz is still waiting for the green light from Leverkusen to conduct a medical with Liverpool expected to fork out over £115million on the attacker.
The two clubs continue to engage in ongoing conversations to iron out the intricacies of an agreement. But it seems certain Liverpool are ready to set a new Premier League record for the 22-year-old talent, who is keen on a switch to Anfield after rebuffing overtures from Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
The eye-watering sum slotted for Wirtz certainly raises eyebrows, especially when his German team-mate Gundogan has previously stated that the young talent isn't yet at a world-class level. With the departure of Manchester City's creative king Kevin De Bruyne, Wirtz was tipped to step into his formidable shoes before picking Liveprool instead.
Well-acquainted with Wirtz, having lined up alongside him and Bayern Munich’s prodigious Jamal Musiala for Germany, Gundogan holds both in high regard. Yet, he suggests Champions League success is pivotal for the duo to truly become global stars.
Gundogan said earlier in 2025: "They're very close to world class. Maybe they are not yet there but they could be the best in the world in a short amount of time. I feel like it is just proving themselves a little bit more. They are very young. Jamal has done a bit more than Florian because he played a little more at that high level."
"When you want to be on top and admired as the world's best one day, it's necessary to win the Champions League and Jamal has already played a few years in the Champions League but hasn't won it yet.
"For Flo, it is the first season with Champions League with Leverkusen. To be there every single year, to try to get to the semis and final and win it at one point is unavoidable to be world class.
"Of course, they have the potential and the quality. I played with them for the last two years in the national team and both of them have everything and they prove it with their teams and the national team. They are both great guys and great characters so they will be there at one point."