Florian Wirtz arrived at Anfield last summer in a £116.5m deal from Bayer Leverkusen, making him Liverpool’s record signing at the time – 15 months on, the German is still searching for the form that made him one of Europe’s most coveted playmakers.
His first season on Merseyside brought seven goals and eight assists in 54 appearances, an underwhelming return given his price tag despite an upturn in form after the turn of the year.
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This term has started little better with 332 Premier League minutes, and only one goal involvement to his name.
The scrutiny has intensified. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said this week he does not know “how much longer they can wait for Florian Wirtz” after another quiet display against Fulham, adding bluntly, “it’s just not working.”
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has said the 23-year-old should “absolutely” be dropped, while Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Wirtz fits into the side at all, warning last summer’s £445m spending spree could go down as “arguably the worst transfer window we have seen in Premier League history.”
Amid that pressure, speculation has grown over Wirtz’s long-term future in England.
According to German journalist Christian Falk, however, any switch to Bayern Munich is not imminent, though the Bundesliga giants have not ruled out a reunion further down the line.
Writing for CF Bayern Insider, Falk dismissed reports that Bayern are actively tracking Wirtz.
“It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are tracking Florian Wirtz and could make a shock move for the Liverpool player. My information is that this is not true,” he wrote.
Falk did, however, confirm Bayern retain a strong connection to the German international, revealing that two secret meetings took place before Wirtz chose Liverpool over Bayern last year.
“There were two secret meetings before he decided on Liverpool: the first one in Munich and then in Liverpool as well,” he said, adding that then-Liverpool boss Arne Slot “persuaded the German international to switch to Merseyside.”
Falk made clear he does not share the growing concern among English pundits, pointing instead to how the speculation has been pieced together.
“There is a big history between FC Bayern and Wirtz… you’re always going to have rumours – even more so when there are concerns over his performance levels in England. To be clear, I don’t necessarily share those concerns; I think Wirtz is performing better than he did last year. He has a new position in the team,” Falk explained.
The Bayern insider was explicit that any move to Munich would only be considered if Wirtz himself pushed for an exit.
“If Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to. However, there is nothing planned,” he said.
Falk pointed to Bayern’s squad depth as a reason there is no urgency on their part, noting Jamal Musiala holds a long contract and that head coach Vincent Kompany is building his system around Michael Olise through the middle.
He also referenced the scale of Liverpool’s outlay, saying: “Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”
Falk suggested a route back to Bayern could open up if Olise, whose contract situation is under review next summer, were to leave.
“If not, and he decides for a transfer, of course Florian Wirtz would be a player who’s interesting for Bayern Munich,” Falk said, floating the idea of a swap deal or funds raised from an Olise sale being redirected into a Wirtz bid.
For now, Florian Wirtz remains under contract at Liverpool until 2030, with the club yet to indicate any willingness to sell.
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