Liverpool appear to have beaten Bayern Munich to the signing of Florian Wirtz
Bayern chiefs were reportedly shocked by the attacking midfielder's choice
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By MICHAEL PAVITT
Published: 06:41 EDT, 28 May 2025 | Updated: 06:41 EDT, 28 May 2025
Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen has aimed a dig at Liverpool with the Bundesliga giants appearing to have been beaten by the Reds to the £126million signing of Florian Wirtz.
The German attacker is one of the biggest names on the market in the upcoming transfer window with Liverpool going head to head with Bayern Munich to tempt the Bayer Leverkusen star to join.
That came after Man City withdrew from the race over soaring fees and Bayern had remained as favourites, before Mail Sport reported last week that the Reds were edging ahead for the 22-year-old, who scored 16 goals and registered 15 assists this season.
Hans-Joachim Wirtz, Florian's father, reportedly informed Bayern executives Uli Hoeness and Max Eberl over a phone call this week after the trio met up.
It is said that Wirtz's father - who acts as his agent - revealed his son is keen for a new challenge outside of the Bundesliga after spending five years in Leverkusen's first team.
Wirtz's decision to snub Bayern in favour of Liverpool is claimed to have left officials at the club shocked.
Liverpool have seemingly won the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this summer
The German star, 22, appears to have snubbed interest from Bayern Munich to join Liverpool
Bayern chief executive Christian Dreesen has stressed the club is still attractive to top players
Bayern chief executive Dreesen has insisted the club remains appealing to top players, while he took aim at Liverpool's absence from the upcoming Club World Cup.
'FC Bayern is one of the absolute top clubs in Europe and the world. Our appeal among fans, but also among players, is enormous,' Dreesen told TZ.
‘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.
‘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 narrowly missed out on the Club World Cup having finished as runners-up to Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final.
Dreesen highlighted how Vincent Kompany's title winners will play in the Club World Cup
Newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool failed to qualify for the tournament
Bayern qualified as one of the 32 teams for the expanded competition due to being the best ranked eligible team in UEFA four year rankings.
Mail Sport has previously revealed Liverpool have made formal contact with Leverkusen and the clubs will now negotiate over the hefty fee and potential add-ons.
If Wirtz did complete a move, he would likely cost a British transfer record fee as Leverkusen want €150m (£125.9m).
A reported earlier this week claimed Liverpool's opening offer was believed to be in 'excess' of €100million (£85m) with add-ons.