Florian Wirtz has dismissed a report that claimed he wants to wear the No.10 jersey for Liverpool, as the Reds continue to work on a move for the Germany international.
Last month, it emerged that Wirtz only had eyes for Liverpool during the summer transfer window, despite strong interest from Bayern Munich.
Liverpool wrapped up its first deal of the window recently, announcing Jeremie Frimpong's arrival, and the expectation is that the Dutchman will soon be joined by his former Leverkusen teammate.
As discussions continue to take place over a transfer, it was reported by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg on Monday that Wirtz was eyeing up Alexis Mac Allister's No.10 jersey.
"Florian Wirtz would like to wear the number 10 shirt at Liverpool FC," Plettenberg wrote. "He currently wears it at Leverkusen as well and the number 17 shirt for Germany. At the Reds, Alexis Mac Allister currently wears the number 10. Liverpool are very optimistic about reaching an agreement with Bayer 04 soon. Unless a Liverpool player is included in the deal, Leverkusen are demanding a fee of up to €140–150m."
Wirtz did not take kindly to the claim, instantly rejecting it in an Instagram post. "Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don't believe everything that's written," Wirtz wrote, alongside a clown emoji.
If Wirtz, doesn't take the No.10, there are plenty of other options available to him. Darwin Nunez is surely going to leave this summer, which would free up the No.9 jersey. Luis Diaz's Liverpool future is far from certain too and he currently dons the No.7, although he is far more likely to stay at Anfield than Nunez.
Florian Wirtz during a team Germany training session.
Florian Wirtz is expected to join Liverpool (Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
No.6 is available, although that is usually a number reserved for deeper-lying players, so it feels unlikely that he would take that number on, while the numbers 12, 13, 15, and 16 are also free, but they are not particularly appealing.
Wirtz wore the No.27 for Leverkusen up until a couple of seasons ago, and that is available, but his current Germany number (17) belongs to Curtis Jones at the moment. Numbers 23 and 24, which Wirtz has also worn in the past, are also free.
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Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool's next priority after Wirtz and a new left-back is likely to be a new striker. He told Sky Sports: "Whether Wirtz comes in and plays in Szoboszlai's role or plays from the left, I don't know. But the next one is center forward and I wouldn't be surprised if once Liverpool get these three [Frimpong, Wirtz, and the left-back] done, the next one will be a center forward.
"As the window goes on, Liverpool will just see who they can sell and what they can do - they might bring in another midfield player or a centre-back to back up, but they'll just assess what the situation is."