Liverpool are in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over the signing of Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz before a Bayer Leverkusen game
Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz is a transfer target for Liverpool(Image: Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz reportedly rejected a move to Manchester City over concerns Pep Guardiola would not remain in his role until the end of his contract.
Liverpool’s pursuit of the German international took a significant step forward after the club approached Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend.
However, at one point earlier this month, both City and Bayern Munich were running for the playmaker’s signature.
But Liverpool now appear to have moved to the front of the queue for the £126 million-rated attacker after opening talks with the German club.
And now, according to a report from German publication BILD, Wirtz was left concerned that Guardiola could not give a full commitment to staying in his role until his contract expires in 2027.
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Guardiola brought an end to speculation surrounding his Etihad future when he signed a new two-year contract extension back in November.
The report from BILD also claims that Wirtz was keen on the idea of joining Liverpool after 'he felt the special atmosphere in the stadium and the club's strength and was enthusiastic about the conditions at the club' during Leverkusen’s 4-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield back in November.
Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz at a press conference over the weekend.
He said: “It’s currently an open subject with Florian. There is concrete interest from Liverpool, but there’s no more to say right now.
"Florian is our player."
Speaking to the German edition of Sports Illustrated earlier this month, Wirtz 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."
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