Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has given his seal of approval on Florian Wirtz ahead of a transfer move to Liverpool.
The World Cup-winning Germany midfielder says Wirtz is destined for the very top of the game. In the season just gone, the 22-year-old scored 16 goals and laid on 15 assists for his teammates as Bayer Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich, who came top of the German top flight, was initially expected to get a deal over the line for Wirtz. However, Liverpool has since opened talks with Leverkusen and has taken the lead in the transfer race.
"If he thinks that’s the best next step for him and his career, then that's good," Kroos is quoted as saying by Bulinews. "You can technically only judge decisions like this afterwards, of course.
"He [Wirtz] is a player who can prevail at any club in the world, in my opinion. It doesn't matter if it would've been Bayern or Liverpool, it's different from being at Leverkusen for sure — but he has all the tools to assert himself at any given top club."
Kroos added (via Suddeutsche Zeitung): "It was just obvious to everyone that he was going to Bayern. I didn't know that, and in my old way, I didn't believe it at first when someone wrote that."
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. (Image: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Since Liverpool moved ahead of Bayern Munich for Wirtz, with the player thought to have told the German side that he wants to move to England, the Bundesliga champion has not taken it particularly well.
Earlier this week, Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen went out of his way to insist that his team still has pulling power. He even added in a dig about the Club World Cup — a competition Bayern will be involved in but Liverpool won't.
"Much more has been written than spoken," he told TZ . "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.
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"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.
"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."
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz is an incredible talent. If Liverpool can get the deal over the line, he will instantly improve the Premier League champion. Various Bayern Munich-associated people being salty (Kroos being the exception) says it all.