Round-up of Florian Wirtz headlines as Liverpool prepare to battle Bayern Munich and Manchester City for the transfer of the highly-rated midfielder in the summer window
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Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen looks on
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
Liverpool could find themselves at the centre of one of the most expensive transfer battles of not only summer 2025, but of all-time. Florian Wirtz, rated at £125m, is also wanted by Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Time is gradually running out on the contract the 22-year-old has in place with Bayer Leverkusen. The German club, invincible Bundesliga and cup double winners in 2023/24, are confirmed to be losing influential manager Xabi Alonso and the end of the season and other prime stars such as Jeremie Frimpong, whose release clause is expected to be triggered by Liverpool, should be moving on.
So Wirtz finds himself at a crossroads too with the next big decision of his career to come shortly. Here, the ECHO rounds up events this week with the Reds firmly in the hat for his signature.
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Wirtz decision
Wirtz has played for Bayer Leverkusen since he was 17 years of age. Now aged 22, in that time he has won three German major honours, is approaching the 200 appearance mark and has already broken through into his national team.
But even though he has won the Bundesliga, he knows it may not be too common an occurrence should he stay put. Leverkusen's championship is the only time in the past 13 seasons that Bayern have not collected the trophy.
If he wishes to become a star in his homeland, Bayern are the obvious pick. Then there is the allure of the Premier League if Wirtz and his parents think a move overseas is best for his career.
In a similar light to Bayern, English football has largely been dominated by Manchester City for the best part of eight years. The only times they have not won the title - in 2020 and 2025 - Liverpool have been victors, and in this year's instance Slot's side have been streets ahead of their faltering rivals.
So, Wirtz must trust whoever's pitch is strongest between the newly-crowned champions seeking to build on their success, or the former ones arguing that they can rebuild and go again.
On his decision, the playmaker has already stated: "I keep seeing posts about me on social media. Every now and then, I have to laugh when people write about where I’m supposedly playing next season.
"Nobody but me can know that. That’s why I don’t pay any attention to such news and deal with them in a pretty chill way."
Florian Wirtz looks on during Bayer Leverkusen's game against Borussia Dortmund
Florian Wirtz has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Liverpool stance
The ECHO understands the Reds are prepared to go head to head with Bayern and City to sign Wirtz.
Anfield chiefs reached out to the player and his parents, who he is represented by, and have informed them of their long-standing admiration before he makes his next big decision. They have been told in return to expect rivalry from the two above clubs.
It has been claimed that amid the family's visit to North West England on Tuesday, they met with representatives of Liverpool as they also dealt with City.
However, the expectation at this stage remains that Wirtz will remain in Germany at either Leverkusen or Bayern.
Transfer rivals
City, more direct challengers to Liverpool, did have face-to-face meetings with the Wirtz family, our sister title the Manchester Evening News has confirmed.
The Etihad Stadium club's desire is very much born of needing to replace Kevin de Bruyne, who has served for a decade and is now leaving the club at 33-years-old. He has been their chief playmaker across this period.
It is said Pep Guardiola was not involved personally on this day but his tendency is to have a phone call with transfer targets to lay out his vision.
On the other hand, Bayern will never contest the Reds for the Premier League title but they would appear to be the biggest threat to landing Wirtz's signing this summer.
In German media only days before news of a trip to England spread like wildfire it was being reported that the 22-year-old had given his word to Allianz Stadium chiefs. This may have been a little presumptuous, but according to the latest BILD report Bayern remain 'confident' that they are out in front.
It is also added that Leverkusen will try and tempt their main to extend his current contract beyond 2027, though are likely to be rebuffed.
Establishing an order of things, BILD reporter Christian Falk believes that Liverpool have moved ahead of City - who could drop out - but both still trail the German champions in the race to sign the player.