Florian Wirtz. . (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)Florian Wirtz. . (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz. . (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool are leading the race to sign Florian Wirtz ahead of Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has insisted that the club can still attract top players after conceding defeat to Liverpool in the Florian Wirtz transfer race.
Wirtz had been expected to join the Bundesliga champions from Bayer Leverkusen this summer. The playmaker is regarded as one of Europe’s best young talents, having plundered 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 outings for Die Werkself. Last season, he was instrumental as Leverkusen won their maiden German title without losing a game.
However, Liverpool surprisingly entered the race to sign Wirtz - and have leapfrogged Bayern and Manchester City. The Reds are now frontruners, with Wirtz reportedly wanting to join the Premier League conquerors having held talks with Arne Slot.
Dreesen has seemingly admitted defeat in the battle for Wirtz’s signature, with suggestions that Liverpool have made a bid of around £84 million plus add-ons.
Via Munich-based newspaper tz, Dreesen said: "Much more has been written than spoken. FC Bayern is one of the absolute top clubs in Europe and the world. Our appeal among fans, but also among players, is enormous. The fact that not every player will end up with us is simply part of the package; it's the same for other top clubs.
“But everyone knows: With FC Bayern, you can win everything every year; you're involved in every competition – the upcoming Club World Cup is a good example of that.”
Bayern compete in the inaugural Club World Cup next month alongside the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Chelsea and Dressen seemingly fired a dig at Liverpool as they are among the clubs who aren’t in the competition.
He added: Just look at which clubs are represented there – and, most of all, which [clubs] aren't. The best European clubs are competing there – including FC Bayern. Our appeal, sporting ambitions, and economic power are well known to all top players around the world."
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