Bayer Leverkusen's Aleix Garcia is delighted that Florian Wirtz is seemingly heading to Liverpool — because it means he is not strengthening a Bundesliga rival in Bayern Munich.
It emerged last month that Wirtz had decided to join Liverpool ahead of Bayern, which came as a shock given Bayern's history of hoovering up all the best German talent.
Garcia, formerly of Manchester City, joined Leverkusen last summer and was immediately impressed by Wirtz. Garcia gave an interview to Spanish outlet AS, in which he was asked whether the German is "as good as he seems."
“He is," Garcia responded. "I spent a year with him, and I think he’s dazzling. He has superior quality and is a game-changer. He’s also driven to improve every day and always be the best. He’s surprised and impressed me.
“He’s definitely in the top 10 in the world. I don’t know if he’s in the top 5, but he’s definitely in the top 10. He has spectacular talent and a hunger to keep improving."
Although Garcia is set to lose Wirtz as a teammate, he is happy that the youngster is moving away from Germany, as that means he isn't making a direct rival stronger — although the pair will still be competing in the Champions League for their respective clubs next term.
“Of course. It’s better not to have him as a rival," Garcia added. “Tah has gone to Bayern, and if Wirtz were to leave, they’d also be almost unstoppable.
"I think he’ll go to England and make a difference. I wish him the best of luck because, apart from being a star, he’s a very good guy.”
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
Wirtz's status as one of the most valuable players in the world is expected to be reflected in a monster salary at Liverpool, with German outlet Bild saying that his contract is set to be worth between $23 million and $25 million gross per season.
That will make him Liverpool's third highest-paid player behind Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who are both believed to earn well in excess of $25 million per year before tax.
Meanwhile, Wirtz has dismissed a report that claimed he wants to wear the No.10 jersey for Liverpool. It was reported by Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg on Monday that Wirtz was eyeing up Alexis Mac Allister's number.
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.