Liverpool and Bayern Munich could go head-to-head for the transfer of Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz this summer, though the latter is said to have an advantage in the race.
At 22, Wirtz has already established himself as one of the best players in the world. This season, he scored 16 goals and assisted another 15 for Leverkusen, who finished second to Bayern Munich in the German top flight.
With Darwin Nunez likely to be on the way out at Anfield and Arne Slot looking for attacking upgrades, Wirtz is one player to have caught the eye of the Liverpool recruitment team. But Bayern Munich, at the moment, is deemed to be the favorite for his signature.
According to BILD’s Christian Falk, Wirtz has already given his word to Bayern Munich that he will be joining the Bundesliga champion. Vincent Kompany’s side is said to be confident that he will stick to that supposed promise.
The price tag for Wirtz is going to be close to $169 million (£126 million), however, and it remains to be seen if Bayern Munich can put together such a steep package. Bayer Leverkusen would also rather sell abroad than to a direct rival.
Last season’s Bundesliga champion is set to lose Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid this summer. Wirtz became a key man under the Spaniard and there have been some suggestions that he could head to Spain.
(Image: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
For now, though, Liverpool and Bayern Munich appear to be the frontrunners, with Manchester City focusing its attention elsewhere. And Slot’s side would be able to afford a big fee.
Earlier, Bayern Munich icon Stefan Effenberg took a swipe at Liverpool-admired Wirtz for his hesitation in choosing where his future will lie. He labeled the Bayer Leverkusen star’s indecision as “undignified”.
“The future of Bayer Leverkusen superstar Wirtz is still unclear,” he wrote for t-online. “After he already seemed to be on his way to FC Bayern, Manchester City is now reportedly also in the race for the national player, and Real Madrid is still considered a potential target.
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“I say a move to City or to the ‘Royals’ (Madrid) would perhaps be even more beneficial to his career because both clubs have now had a disappointing season by their standards and want to attack fully again next year, especially in the Champions League — probably with many expensive reinforcements.
“And that, after all, is the one title that Wirtz is still missing. He has already won everything in Germany. However, I think it’s a shame that there has still been no official statement from the Wirtz side about the direction in which things could go.
“So all sides — clubs, fans, the public — remain in the dark for far too long. This is tiring and not appropriate to the situation.”
Liverpool.com says: Wirtz would be an absolute dream signing for the Reds this summer. He is one of the best players in the world and he would instantly make the starting XI better, which is not easy from the current position Slot’s roster is in.
