Bayern Munich have spoken out on their failed bid to sign Florian Wirtz with the Liverpool transfer target set to undergo a medical next week ahead of his £100m move
00:40, 13 Jun 2025Updated 00:40, 13 Jun 2025
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 04: Florian Wirtz of Germany looks dejected during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Germany and Portugal at Munich Football Arena on June 04, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Wirtz is set for a record breaking transfer(Image: Christina Pahnke - sampics, Corbis via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich have conceded they could not match Liverpool's hefty bid for Florian Wirtz, as acknowledged by a top executive at the Bundesliga club.
The Reds are on the brink of clinching the deal for the Bayer Leverkusen winger after edging out stiff competition. Manchester City were initially tipped as favourites but withdrew due to financial reservations. Bayern Munich was next in line, yet they too failed to finalise terms.
Liverpool is now closing in on securing Wirtz with three offers already made for the 22 year old prodigy, the most recent being a solid £100m plus an additional £14m in potential bonuses.
Max Eberl, sporting director, said they couldn't afford what Liverpool is paying
Max Eberl, sporting director, said they couldn't afford what Liverpool is paying
Reports from Sky Germany suggest that the transfer could be wrapped up next week, with Wirtz expected to have his medical post-holiday.
If the deal's add-ons are triggered, Wirtz will smash records to become the priciest signing in British football history. This very fact underpins why Bayern Munich fell short in the bidding war.
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Sporting director Max Eberl told Sky Germany: "If I'm honest, I don't know if we could have paid what Liverpool are apparently paying now. Florian Wirtz is an outstanding player. We could have imagined signing him. But when a door closes, another opens."
According to the Mirror, Eberl isn't the only Bayern official to comment on their unsuccessful pursuit of Wirtz. Club president Herbert Hainer previously revealed last month that their offer had been unsuccessful.
He remarked: "[Director of sport] Max Eberl has informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will continue with Leverkusen."
It's been a busy transfer window for the Reds
It's been a busy transfer window for the Reds(Image: Getty Images)
Former Red Dietmarr Hamann shared that Wirtz and his family were swayed by the Reds' approach in their pursuit of the midfielder, praising the decision. He commented: "Florian Wirtz has made a decision. I believe it's the right one.
"Things are really happening at Liverpool under Arne Slot. They'll sign, or want to sign, two or three other players, from what I hear. That's why I think Wirtz has made a very good decision."
He continued: "Liverpool is a global club, and they've demonstrated that in the negotiations. They've probably been in contact with Florian Wirtz for weeks or months, and they've never heard anything.
"I think the Wirtz family was also impressed by how they handled it: discreetly, quietly, all in the background."
Should the transfer for Wirtz go through, he would follow Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong as the second star to join Liverpool this summer. The Reds have also snapped up the talented young keeper Armin Pecsi.
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