Former Liverpool star Joe Cole has deemed transfer target Florian Wirtz to be “as good as” Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer amid speculation over a potential move to Anfield.
The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder is one of the most coveted players on the continent currently as a result of his displays in the German Bundesliga. The 22-year-old, who is a 29-time international, has scored ten times in his nation’s top flight this term, having notched 11 times during the previous campaign.
A domestic title winner under the tutelage of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, he is the second Leverkusen player to be linked with the Reds this week – with Jeremie Frimpong rumored to be on the club’s radar. The Athletic has claimed that Liverpool has contacted Wirtz’s representatives to express interest in his signature.
The outlet’s David Ornstein took to X to confirm contact between the player and Anfield chiefs, claiming that the Reds’ interest in the forward is “longstanding”. According to Kicker, the player’s representatives met with Liverpool chiefs during a trip to England this week. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are both said to harbor strong interest in the Leverkusen star.
Likewise, Bild has claimed that Wirtz met with Liverpool’s representatives in Blackpool, while then travelling on to Manchester. This comes after reports that the starlet was set for a switch to Bayern earlier this week.
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In light of those reports of a move to Allianz Arena, Leverkusen head coach Alonso – who is set to depart Bay Arena at the end of the season – asserted that he had not been made aware of Wirtz intending to leave. He said: “Florian Wirtz didn’t tell me that he only wants to go to Bayern… this is not my information.”
Now, ex-Liverpool midfielder Cole has given his verdict on the player’s talents as he compared him with his peers. “[He’s] Incredible. I’ve watched him three times this year now and he’s blown me away every time,” the ex-Anfield star told TNT Sports.
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“He’s got a South American flair with a German efficiency about him. We’ve all heard of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, and Musiala.
“This lad will be new to the British viewers. Let me tell you, he is every bit as talented as those players. He could go on to be anything.”
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Fellow TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves said of Wirtz’s talents: “Florian Wirtz has 18 goals and 19 assists. They’re ridiculous numbers, they’re PlayStation numbers!”
Wirtz previously addressed his future earlier in the year as he refused to outline a blueprint in terms of whether he will look to move on from Bay Arena. He remained coy on the subject, saying: “I don’t have a timetable, so I don’t even have an idea in my head as far as that’s concerned.
“I’m just really happy to be back playing football after the summer break. Right now I’m just trying to achieve my goals with the team. Then we’ll see what happens at some point – but I don’t have a timetable.”
