Bayern Munich icon Stefan Effenberg has taken a swipe at Liverpool-linked Florian Wirtz for his hesitation in deciding his future, labelling the Bayer Leverkusen star’s indecision as “undignified”.
Liverpool has expressed its interest to the 22-year-old’s representatives, yet it suspects that Wirtz will ultimately opt to remain in Germany with either Leverkusen or Bayern, who are keen on making the adaptable forward their prime acquisition this summer following their Bundesliga triumph.
However, should Wirtz fancy a switch to the Premier League, Liverpool has positioned itself at the head of the line after Manchester City reportedly backed out due to the hefty price tag at a juncture when its Champions League participation next season is uncertain.
Effenberg, a treble Bundesliga champion and 2001 Champions League winner with Bayern, has aired his grievances regarding Wirtz and his family’s protracted deliberations over his future in his regular t-online column in Germany.
The ex-Germany midfielder penned: “The future of Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz is still unclear. 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.
“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.
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“So all sides – clubs, fans, the public – remain in the dark for far too long. This is tiring and not appropriate to the situation.
“If Wirtz, who is supposed to have tended towards Bayern, now suddenly changes his mind again, that would also be a very bad sign. Because that would make it clear that he himself doesn’t really know what he actually wants.
“So the question remains open: Where does he actually want to go?
“This undignified fiddling around doesn’t help anyone, especially not himself. He should finally make up his mind and communicate it openly – it’s for his own good.”
* 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.
