It is believed that Bayern Munich is the favorite to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz this summer, but Liverpool and Manchester City are both admirers should he be open to a Premier League move.
Valued at well over $100M, Wirtz is one of the most talented players in his position in the world. Though Liverpool.com reported yesterday that speculation about a meeting being held between a Reds representative and Wirtz is wide of the mark, it would be a sensational signing, and fans have already got excited about the prospect.
As Premier League champion, and having spent very little last summer, Arne Slot’s side should have cash to splash. But Wirtz could move to Bayern Munich or even stay with Bayer Leverkusen for another year to continue his development.
According to Anfield Watch, though, Liverpool (and Manchester City too) is in a better economic position to do a deal. Bayern Munich, it says, would have to sell players first to free up budget to bring Wirtz to the Allianz Arena.
Additionally, Bayer Leverkusen would also rather see Wirtz leave the Bundesliga if he does make an exit, as opposed to joining its biggest rival for the league title. This year, Bayern Munich has regained the championship, with Leverkusen finishing second.
“What am I supposed to say about that?” Bayern Munich chief Max Eberl said in a press conference earlier today when he was asked about Wirtz reportedly meeting with clubs in England.
(Image: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
“Wirtz and his family are free to visit friends in Manchester, Liverpool or wherever, in Madrid. I don’t know.
“And of course we are confronted with that because it’s said that Florian Wirtz will join Bayern. Nobody knows that.
“Florian Wirtz is under contract at Bayer Leverkusen. For now, that is the current state of affairs.”
Wirtz is not the only Bayer Leverkusen player that Liverpool could sign this summer. Liverpool is, according to The Times, expected to make contact with the German side soon to confirm that it will be triggering the release clause of Jeremie Frimpong.
Learn more
Frimpong has been identified as one of the players who could help Slot replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be heading for Real Madrid. The Leverkusen wing-back’s exit clause is set at $39 million (£30 million).
That is a modest sum in the current climate. And Frimpong, because he used to play for Manchester City and grew up in the North West of England, would qualify as a homegrown player, which would be an added bonus.
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz and Frimpong are both top players and would improve on the roster that Liverpool is set to have when Alexander-Arnold leaves. The current Reds right-back has so much creativity that he will a void. Others (and more than one player) will be needed to step up and fill it.
