Former Bayern Munich defender Thomas Helmer is desperate for Florian Wirtz to snub Liverpool and stay in the Bundesliga.
The Reds appear to be leading the race for Wirtz's signature after seeing a second bid turned down for the player. It's believed Liverpool offered Bayer Leverkusen $149 million for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, but the German team wants $171 million.
Recent reports suggest Liverpool's owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is willing to spend $171 million on Wirtz, with both the Reds and Leverkusen looking to wrap up the transfer saga. Leverkusen has already sold Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool this summer, with the right-back replacing new Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold on Merseyside.
Signing Wirtz would be a huge coup for the Reds. The Germany international helped Leverkusen win its first ever Bundesliga title during the 2023-24 season, scoring 11 league goals to be named as the Bundesliga Player of the Season. He backed that up with a stellar 2024-25 campaign, which saw him score 16 goals and provide 15 assists in all competitions.
Regardless of whether he joins Liverpool, Wirtz is widely expected to leave Leverkusen this summer, as the club looks to rebuild under new manager Erik ten Hag. Former boss Xabi Alonso has become Madrid's new manager, while Frimpong has joined the Reds.
Liverpool fans would love to see Wirtz arrive at Anfield, but Helmer is hoping the German stays in his homeland. Helmer's beloved Bayern is one of the teams being linked with Wirtz.
Wirtz could command a nine-figure transfer fee
Wirtz could command a nine-figure transfer fee (Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"If Florian Wirtz goes to the Premier League, it would be very bad for the Bundesliga," Wirtz told Casino Beats.
"For me, Wirtz is one of the best attacking players at the moment. He’s almost more valuable for the German national team than Jamal Musiala, although both are top players and of course they are both still young.
"That's why it'd be very, very sad for the Bundesliga and for Bayern Munich. Many people in Germany were hoping he’d transfer to Bayern, so him and Musiala could get settled in the same side before the World Cup next year.
"I also thought this would be a good idea, but I think Liverpool are already gunning for him, too – he would be great for Liverpool. They already have top players, and from what I've seen of them, I believe he will fit in well."
If Wirtz decides to snub Liverpool and join Bayern, Helmer believes the German team will need to change its system to accommodate the youngster. He added: "I’ve talked a lot about this with Mario Basler, as we do a roadshow together.
"When we looked back on Wirtz and Musiala’s games for the national team, one was really good and the other wasn't so good. Was it because the other was there? Was it because either of them didn't hit his stride that particular day?
“We don't know that exactly. They are similar in style and certainly from their position they play much the same game. So, at the very least, Bayern would have had to change their system to fit them both in.
"That said, with two talents like that, as a coach you should be able to make that work. That’s the difference between a good coach and a great one."