Florian Plettenberg
Image Credits: Getty Images
Florian Plettenberg has provided his latest on Florian Wirtz and Liverpool after the Manchester City bombshell on Monday afternoon.
The future of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has taken a significant twist, with Manchester City withdrawing from the race to sign the German prodigy, according to a BBC report by the highly reliable Sami Mokbel.
In a stunning reversal, Manchester City have cooled their interest in Wirtz after months of actively pursuing the 22-year-old,
It is reported Pep Guardiola’s team is stepping back from their pursuit of the German international due to the escalating financial demands of the transfer.
Securing the 22-year-old could have resulted in the most expensive signing in City’s history, with the total cost – including transfer fees and wages -potentially reaching €300 million in what is considered unfeasible by the Manchester club.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s ambitions to secure Wirtz gained momentum last week after a meeting with the player’s family in northwest England.
Intricate details emerged about the Wirtz family’s travel arrangements: a private Embraer Legacy 550 jet ferried them to Blackpool, followed by a discreet departure from Manchester Airport.
While Bayern Munich director Uli Hoessen sarcastically dismissed rumours linking Wirtz to City -“You’ve been writing nonsense for weeks about him going to Manchester City, even though he was at Liverpool”- the Reds have since submitted a preliminary bid, according to German outlet Kicker.
Now Sky Germany, a fresh voice in this escalating saga, has now reaffirmed Liverpool’s intent to make a deal come to fruition.
Writing on X, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany has confirmed that Wirtz is “the desired target” while also naming some other areas the club is thought to be working on:
“Plans at Liverpool are in full swing. The current priorities are finding a centre-back, a left-back, a playmaker/No. 10, and a winger.”
“LB: Milos Kerkez is currently the top priority. Jorrel Hato is on the shortlist.”
“No. 10: Florian Wirtz is the desired target – and they’re not willing to give up on him.”
He also reaffirmed that the Wirtz family were in the UK to talk to Liverpool and not Manchester City:
“As reported, the Wirtz family were in Liverpool last week … Man City were ready to make progress but MCFC are out of the race after new talks as the BBC reported.”
“Despite other reports, Man City never made an official offer. FC Bayern remain relaxed. They trust in their basic agreement and are also waiting for Wirtz to announce an internal decision at Leverkusen.”
🚨🧐 Plans at Liverpool are in full swing. The current priorities are finding a centre-back, a left-back, a playmaker/No. 10, and a winger. #LFC
LB: Milos #Kerkez is currently the top priority. Jorrel #Hato is on the shortlist.
No. 10: Florian #Wirtz is the desired target – and… pic.twitter.com/DwGuyJ0YY5
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 19, 2025
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