Liverpool have been dragged into the transfer discussion around Florian Wirtz, Manchester City and Bayern Munich
Comments
Sport
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool have held a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to new reports in Germany. It comes after intense speculation has already pitted rivals Manchester City in a tug of war with Bayern Munich over the midfielder's signature.
Ever since making his debut at a record-breaking young age for Leverkusen, Wirtz has been tipped for greatness. He now has 196 appearances to his name, scoring 57 goals and providing 65 assists, the vast majority of which have come playing under former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso over the past two-and-a-half years.
A Bundesliga and German cup double winner in 2024, the 22-year-old's future has reached a crossroads. His name has previously found itself in Reds transfer discussion, but never quite as intensely as now.
The Liverpool ECHO rounds-up the latest below:
READ MORE: Why Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool transfer makes sense amid Trent Alexander-Arnold exitREAD MORE: Liverpool 'very angry' target demands transfer as Real Madrid forced to respond
Bayern Munich
Last week BILD claimed that Wirtz has given his word to the newly-crowned German champions Bayern that he will sign for them once the transfer market opens again.
At this point it was discussed how Bayern may approach such a move, as there are seemingly options for the club. The first would be to pay for the attacking midfielder this summer - a deal that could rise higher in value than £100m for the winning bidder, especially for Bayern who are direct domestic rivals to Leverkusen.
With the player's word having been secured, they believe they could also hold off until a year down the line, when Leverkusen would be forced to sell if they wish to receive a fee as the player's contract is to expire in 2027.
But ultimately Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro ended up shooting any such suggestions of an agreement down.
"I know that it is not true and it is annoying to read reports which are not true," he told broadcasters RTL/ntv. "Of course Florian has to think about his future, but at least we are not aware - and I can assume that this is correct - that anything has been decided for him."
Man City
As per our sister title the Manchester Evening News, Wirtz's parents, father Hans-Joachim - also his agent - and mother Karin, flew into Blackpool with him on Tuesday afternoon and spoke to City officials in Manchester. They had been pictured as doing so all over social media, sparking a frenzy amongst the fans of Pep Guardiola's team.
The Reds' rivals would wish to replace Kevin de Bruyne, their talisman who is leaving at the age of 33. Whilst Guardiola himself is stated not to have been involved in any face-to-face talks during the trip, the player's parents are believed to have been weighing up what is best for their son.
German media also reported that they had met with people from the club.
Liverpool
Finally, this is where Liverpool arrive. Almost 24 hours on from news of City's involvement, it is now claimed Anfield chiefs also met with the Wirtz family - in Blackpool.
Koln Stadt-Anzeiger gave first mention of Liverpool, saying talks had taken place. Fellow German publication Kicker added the idea that these took place upon the visit to England.
BILD's Christian Falk has joined in thirdly with reporting this piece of information, but states that Bayern bosses 'remain confident' of beating the two English clubs to Wirtz's signature.
Liverpool have not substantiated the claims but the German press seem certain a meeting was held. Wirtz was linked with Liverpool last summer but Anfield officials were insistent he was not on the club's shortlist at the time.
It comes as the Reds are considering a raid on Leverkusen for Jeremie Frimpong with Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid.