Florian Wirtz has struggled since his £116m transfer to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, and Max Eberl reiterates that Bayern Munich wanted to sign the Germany international
Florian Wirtz looks on during a Liverpool match
Florian Wirtz was wanted by Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window
View 2 Images
Bayern Munich chief Max Eberl has reiterated that the Bavarian giants clearly wanted Florian Wirtz last summer. Liverpool ultimately swooped for the Germany international from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth an initial £100million plus £16million in potential add-ons.
The attacking midfielder has endured a sluggish start to life at Anfield, failing to find the back of the net and setting up just three goals in all competitions. Two of those assists came in a single outing - the commanding 5-1 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
A month after Wirtz's standout display back playing against Bundesliga opposition, Eberl has weighed in on whether the playmaker would have flourished at the Allianz Arena. Speaking to Bild, the Bayern board member revealed details of his transfer discussions with the club.
He said: "We made it clear in all our discussions that we would have loved to have him at FC Bayern and that he would have been a great fit for us.
"Florian then chose Liverpool. I wish him all the best in representing German football in the Premier League."
Eberl also touched upon whether Bayern discussed squad numbers with Wirtz during negotiations. He explained: "Shirt numbers are an important topic for players."
When quizzed about the number ten jersey that Wirtz coveted - and now sports for Liverpool - potentially clashing with promises made to Jamal Musiala following Leroy Sane's departure, Eberl admitted: "We were completely transparent about that as well."
The Bayern official also maintained that the club remains satisfied with their transfer business during the previous summer window. That is despite also losing out on Nick Woltemade to Newcastle United.
Eberl said: "No matter what the debates surrounding us were like: We were always convinced of what we did, even if one or two things – like the signing of Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade – didn't work out. We are convinced of the path we are on, but we are also aware of the dangers that still lurk."
Max Eberl gives an interview
Max Eberl revealed all about Wirtz's summer transfer talks with Bayern
View 2 Images
Bayern's former chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, was far more forthright when speaking to Welt about Wirtz last month. He said: "I have to be honest, I still feel sorry for Florian Wirtz because I believe he would have been better off at Bayern Munich than at Liverpool."
The coach who handed Wirtz his professional bow, Peter Bosz, however, remains optimistic that the player will prove himself in the Premier League. Bosz, who now manages PSV, told TNT Sports: "I'm sure, I'm really sure, because he is intelligent.
"Those players, they always find the solutions to what they have to do, where they have to progress and how to protect themselves and be able to play in the Premier League, so I'm confident he will succeed."
Reflecting on their time together at Leverkusen, Bosz said: "This was, for me, the biggest talent I have ever seen. I've worked with some really good talents, but what I saw in him was incredible. Technically, perfect. Very intelligent. Good mentality.
"I played him as a right winger in the beginning, but he did so well that I put him in his position, the 10 position, and never changed it."
Content Image
Content Image