Bayern Munich chief executive Uli Hoeness lashed out at the media for ‘writing nonsense’ regarding Florian Wirtz’s next move.
Wirtz’s future is expected to dominate the summer window with the likes of Bayern, Manchester City and Liverpool highly interested in a swoop for the 22-year-old.
talkSPORT understands that Wirtz’s parents, Hans and Karin, flew into the UK earlier this week amid that Premier League interest.
However, Bayern Munich are confident of signing him.
Hoeness refused to see the trip as anything of significance and expressed his frustrations in a frosty interview.
“These are things that are so typical of the state of our media, that they take such nonsense as a small trip so seriously,” Hoeness said.
“It’s not about football anymore, it’s just about every fart left and right.
“And then you have to ask yourselves whether that’s still what the viewers want to hear, read, and see.
“What can I tell you now? You’ve been writing nonsense for weeks about him going to Manchester City, even though he was at Liverpool. We’ll provide you with facts at some point, not more speculation.”
Hoeness’ comments paint a rather contrasting picture compared to the verdict of former Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Last February, Rummenigge wanted Bayern to go all-out to sign who he believed to be ‘the best German player’.
“And I make no secret of the fact that it must clearly be our goal to sign Wirtz,” Rummenigge told Abendzeitung Daily.
Rummenigge added: “Uli said that Wirtz is his dream – and that was putting it mildly.
“Everyone at FC Bayern agree that he is exactly the player we want here. Not to weaken Leverkusen but to strengthen ourselves.”
No matter which club signs Wirtz, he will certainly not come cheap.
The German international is expected to fetch Leverkusen an eye-watering £126million.
It is a fee that would shatter the British transfer record, which belongs to Moises Caicedo when he moved from Brighton to Chelsea for a staggering £115m in August 2023.
Should Liverpool win the race for what may be the most coveted signature in football this summer, Wirtz would be re-united with a familiar face.
talkSPORT understands Liverpool have informed Leverkusen they intend to trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5m release clause.
It promises to be a summer of upheaval at Leverkusen given Xabi Alonso confirmed this season was his last with the club.
Alonso guided Leverkusen to their maiden Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season as they went unbeaten, with Wirtz and Frimpong both playing starring roles.
The Spaniard is expected to take the reins at Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti’s long-awaited appointment as Brazil coach was recently confirmed.
