Liverpool is set to return to the pitch on Monday, facing Brighton and Hove Albion in their Premier League comeback. The focus has largely been on transfers, with the Reds’ stars and coaching staff enjoying a well-deserved break following their Premier League triumph.
The spotlight has also been on Trent Alexander-Arnold following his brief appearance during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend. However, head coach Arne Slot is eager to move past the controversy surrounding his performance, especially considering his imminent departure from Liverpool, with two top-tier matches on the horizon.
Speculation about next season is already rife, with rumors of Jeremie Frimpong potentially moving to Liverpool gaining traction, as well as the Premier League champions expressing interest in signing Florian Wirtz.
With the German season concluding on Saturday, the uncertainty around Frimpong and Wirtz is likely to escalate as the transfer window approaches.
Bayern Munich’s director, Uli Hoeness, has dismissed the ‘nonsense’ reports circulating in Germany about their pursuit of Wirtz.
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It’s been a tumultuous week for the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker’s future. There were whispers that he had shaken hands on a deal with the newly-minted Bundesliga champions, but such chatter was dismissed by some in the German press.
Subsequently, there were murmurs that Wirtz had flown over to England for a look around Manchester City’s training facilities, while also holding talks with Liverpool – Liverpool.com understands those reports are wide of the mark though.
What stands confirmed is the Reds’ keen interest in the 22-year-old, although it looks likely that he will remain in Germany this summer, with a move to Bayern perhaps the most likely transfer option.
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On Saturday though, after Bayern clinched victory against Hoffenheim on the season’s last day, Hoeness lashed out at the rumors about their pursuit of Wirtz.
“What can I tell you now?” he retorted.
“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!”
Liverpool.com says: This feels like one that is going to run and run throughout the summer. Leverkusen will quite rightly demand big money for Wirtz, and that will make things extremely difficult for Liverpool, and the Reds will have to decide just how much it would be willing to splash out if they are to follow up on their interest.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
