Bayern Munich have pillaged the Bundesliga of its best talent for so long that it has become a cliche. The Bavarians might eased up on their poaching of their rivals’ most talented players in recent times, but Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Dayot Upamecano and others established a trade route that Florian Wirtz could now follow.
Wirtz is German football’s next superstar. The 22-year-old has already established himself as one of the best in the Bundesliga, winning the title with Bayer Leverkusen last season, but most expect a big money move to materialise sooner rather than later. It could happen this summer with several clubs in pursuit.
Manchester City are reportedly interested in Wirtz who they view as a potential replacement for the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne. Liverpool could also offer Wirtz a route to the Premier League with the English champions keen to build on the success of Arne Slot’s maiden season in charge. Wirtz would give the Anfield side a different dimension.
Then there’s Real Madrid who have already lined up Trent Alexander-Arnold for a summer switch and could add Wirtz to their ranks ahead of Xabi Alonso’s expected arrival. The Spaniard knows how to get the best out of Wirtz and could install him as a centrepiece in his new-look team at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid, however, are already over-stocked for attacking players. Rodrygo stayed on the bench for Sunday’s title-deciding Clásico against Barcelona largely because there was no viable place for him in a forward line that already included Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Arda Güler and Endrick have also struggled for game time this season. How would Wirtz fit in?
That is an easier question to answer when considering Bayern Munich’s interest. Recent reports claim discussions are advanced over a move to the Allianz Arena this summer with Wirtz’s father believed to favour a Bavarian transfer. The addition of the 22-year-old would give Bayern one of the most fearsome attacks anywhere in Europe.
Bayern are already formidable in the final third. Harry Kane is one of the best centre forwards of his generation, scoring 61 goals in 62 Bundesliga games since joining from Tottenham Hotspur, while Michael Olise has enjoyed an excellent maiden season in Germany, registering 32 goal contributions in all competitions.
Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané all contributed to Bayern Munich’s title success this season, although all three could leave the club this summer if transfer speculation is to be believed. Jamal Musiala, however, is going nowhere. Indeed, he is the purest embodiment of what Vincent Kompany wants the Bavarians to be under his stewardship.
Musiala is almost position-less. In Kompany’s system, he has the freedom to find pockets of space across the forward line. The 22-year-old gets in between the lines and gives Bayern Munich creativity and nimbleness, not to mention goal threat, when otherwise their possession-heavy approach might be predictable.
Fitting Musiala and Wirtz, two dribblers who like to occupy the same areas of the pitch, could be a challenge, but Julian Nagelsmann has already shown it can be done, making good use of the pair for Germany. When Germany put seven goals past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League last November, Musiala and Wirtz were standouts, both scoring and linking up throughout.
Wirtz’s work rate off the ball could make the partnership work at club level just as well as it does for Germany. The 22-year-old has averaged more possession regains in the final third per 90 minutes (1.4) than any other Leverkusen player this season. Musiala also ranks highly for tackles in the final third per 90 minutes. The pair would set the tone from the front for Bayern.
Kompany has a number of problems to solve this summer. Defensively, Bayern Munich are frequently vulnerable against opponents that play in quick transition. This cost them a place in the Champions League semi-finals as Inter Milan exposed this weakness and it seems likely a new centre back will be targeted to combat this.
A new midfield anchor would also be useful. João Palhinha was signed to perform this role last summer, but lacks the rhythm building ability to operate at the base of Kompany’s central unit. Aleksandar Pavlović is still improving, yet Bayern Munich are lacking an elite level two-way pace-setter in the middle.
By landing Wirtz, though, Bayern Munich would make a statement on where they are heading as a team. Kompany has given the Bavarians a platform to build on. The Bundesliga trophy is back at the Allianz Area, but the champions want more. If Musiala is one German superstar of the future, Wirtz is another. Bayern could have both.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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