Liverpool and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich both want to sign Florian Wirtz this summer.
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Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.
Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. (Image: (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images) )
Florian Wirtz remains at the centre of a transfer battle between Liverpool and Bayern Munich. As previously reported by the ECHO, the Reds have made contact with the representatives of the Germany international to express an interest in signing him if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen and is keen on moving to England.
Arne Slot wants to make a significant play for the £125million-rated Germany playmaker, who has scored 16 times and claimed 15 assists this season. Wirtz was also a key member of the Leverkusen team who went undefeated on their way to the Bundesliga title last term.
But despite Liverpool's interest, Bayern are considered the favourites to secure the attacker's signature.
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However, Wirtz might have also already given the game away when it comes to how he will decide whether to move to Anfield, the Allianz Arena, or even stay at the BayArena.
Speaking to the German edition of Sports Illustrated earlier this month, he revealed that his career matters more than money, and he makes decisions based on what is the best for him from a sporting perspective.
He said: "When I moved from Cologne to Leverkusen, I didn't think for a second about what my salary would be.
"I was only interested in what would be best for my career.
"I don't think about how much money I have in my account, or how much I could earn in the future. The sporting perspective is much more important than money. My parents would be angry if I ever gave money priority."
Wirtz is represented by his parents and, when opening up on his family life in the same interview, he revealed: "My family was always by my side.
"They encouraged me, helped me, and made sure that I never lost focus. I had a lot of freedom, but they always ensured that I didn't spend too much time with friends before matches. They taught me to live a responsible life where school was never neglected."
Speaking at a press conference last week, ex-Reds' star Xabi Alonso described Wirtz as 'one of the best players in the world' and is convinced he will make the right decision regarding his next career move.
He said: "Flo is one of the top players in the world. He is world class.
"Flo has a very mature mind. The people around him, his parents, they want the best for him.
"They are in a very important moment of his career. Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo and I will be happy for him. Let's wait a little bit. It's normal in football that there are rumours, especially with such a special player.
"There were rumours (in the past), there are rumours today and there will be rumours in the future. You need to deal with them and not take them too seriously."