Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has spoken out about the possibility of Bayern Munich making a new move to sign Florian Wirtz from Liverpool
Bayern Munich legend and executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz
Bayern Munich legend and executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Liverpool playmaker Florian Wirtz(Image: Getty Images)
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Bayern Munich legend and supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has sidestepped speculation that the Bavarians could make a fresh move to sign Florian Wirtz. However, he has admitted his surprise at the German’s struggles at Liverpool.
The playmaker had been heavily linked with a move to Munich throughout his time at Bayer Leverkusen, with the Bundesliga giants confident of securing his signature as a result.
However, Liverpool ultimately beat Bayern to a deal as they persuaded the Germany international to instead move to Anfield last summer.
Wirtz joined the Reds in a deal worth up to £116m, but has endured mixed fortunes during his time in England amid growing scrutiny and criticism regarding his performances.
He returned seven goals and eight assists from 49 appearances in his first season on Merseyside as Liverpool struggled under Arne Slot, falling dismally short of defending the Premier League title, while he has recorded just one assist from six showings under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Wirtz has repeatedly been linked with a return to Germany amid suggestions that Bayern could renew their interest.
But Rummenigge insisted the Bavarians would likely be priced out of a future move for the 23-year-old - though refused to rule out the possibility entirely.
“First of all, that’s not my job,” he told AZ when asked about the possibility of trying to sign Wirt\ again. “You mustn’t forget that Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry play in that position, and there are other options such as Ismael Saibari.
“There’s no need to buy a fourth player for the amount of money Wirtz would probably cost.
“That’s why I say: every step a player takes is something he has to think through carefully beforehand. Whether something else could still be possible at some point? I don’t know.
Florian Wirtz Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
“The question is whether Wirtz is happy at Liverpool. I can’t judge that. Uli [Hoeness] and I were in contact with his father and mother for a while. Then they made a different decision, and we respected that.”
Meanwhile, Rummenigge also admitted his surprise at Wirtz’s struggles at Liverpool as he claimed the £116m man only joined the Reds because of the role he was promised by Slot.
“Honestly, yes (I am surprised),” he said. “We were given the impression that he was going to Liverpool because the manager at the time, Arne Slot, had promised him the No. 10 position, which he had also played at Leverkusen.
“That was an important factor in his decision to choose Liverpool. Financially, there were no dramatic differences. He made his decision, and we accepted it.”
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