Liverpool ace Florian Wirtz is being tipped with a potential exit in the near future, having endured a difficult start to his second season in the Premier League so far
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz has struggled at Liverpool this season(Image: (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Germany icon Lothar Matthaus has tipped Florian Wirtz to leave Liverpool in the near future, but believes that the move won't see him join Bayern Munich, but rather Chelsea instead.
It follows another difficult spell for the playmaker, who has struggled to make his mark at Anfield in what is now his second season on Merseyside after a switch from Bayer Leverkusen that cost upwards of $150 million. Wirtz has shown small glimpses of his quality in the past year or so, but not enough to warrant the hefty transfer fee, with some difficulties last season seemingly crossing over into this campaign.
With just one assist to his name so far this season, there are clear concerns about the 23-year-old, and patience is seemingly wearing thin among supporters who want more from him.
While there is still time for him to turn things around, there is still uncertainty about whether there is more to come from the number ten or whether this is just his level now, causing for a potential rethink in the transfer market with the star.
Given his price tag and wages, it's unclear which teams would be willing to part with a fee that Liverpool would be happy with to force an exit, though rumors have persisted over a switch to Bayern Munich after previous interest in his services.
With that in mind, Matthaus has claimed that a transfer away could be on the cards for Wirtz, but not to the Bavarian outfit, but Premier League rival Chelsea instead.
Writing in his column for Sky Germany, he said: "I've recently been impressed by Florian Wirtz when he plays for the German national team. His teammates look to find him on the ball there, just as they used to at Leverkusen. At Liverpool, however, the players tend to look for other options, such as Szoboszlai alongside him or Isak ahead of him.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool warms up before the Premier League match against Manchester City
Florian Wirtz put in a disappointing performance in Liverpool's Premier League defeat against Manchester City(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"According to my latest information from England, people have generally been satisfied with his performances recently. However, when you are an expensive, game-changing player and lose a big match 3–0, you can expect plenty of backlash from the media...
"When I look at Bayern Munich's attacking options, Kane, Olise and Díaz are established starters, while Musiala and Gnabry are also top-quality players. The club wants to extend Kane's and Olise's contracts, while the others are tied down to long-term deals. Saibari has also recently joined the squad.
"At the moment, I honestly wouldn't know where Wirtz would fit in, and I simply don't see any realistic short-term possibility of bringing him to Bayern Munich.
"If Wirtz continues to face criticism at Liverpool and fails to show the joy and freedom in his game that we know he has, then at some point all parties will have to sit down together and perhaps find a solution. There are clubs in Spain that would be interested, as well as another club in England: Chelsea, where Wirtz's former coach Xabi Alonso is now in charge."
It would be an interesting switch for Wirtz, who featured 119 times for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 38 goals and assisting 43 in that spell.
Having already unlocked the best in him, it would be a move that makes sense for the player, but it's unclear whether Chelsea would be open to such a transfer, and what funds could possibly be on offer that would tempt Liverpool to cash in.
Before that possibility, the Reds will be hoping to see much more from Wirtz.