Bayern advisor Rummenigge 'still hurt' after failing to sign Wirtz

Former Bayern Munich player and current supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed that their failed attempt to sign Florian Wirtz "still hurts".

Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported €125m (£109m) in what was initially a British transfer record before Alexander Isak's move to Anfield on deadline day.

The 22-year-old made 140 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring 35 and providing 44 assists, as he won the league title and DFB Pokal in 2024.

Bayern were interested in acquiring the midfielder as they intended to replicate his partnership with Jamal Musiala in the German national team.

Rummenigge was disappointed to miss out on Wirtz, claiming he would have been better suited at Bayern than Arne Slot's Liverpool.

"I have to say honestly, in the case of Florian Wirtz, it still hurts, because I believe the player would have been better off at Bayern than at Liverpool," Rummenigge told BILD.

Bayern also had a chance to sign Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart prior to his €80m (£69.8m) move to Newcastle United.

However, unlike the Wirtz transfer, Rummenigge was not bothered about missing out on the striker due to his price tag.

"We could have signed Woltemade. But I also have to say: Bayern Munich are wise enough not to engage in every kind of financial madness," Rummenigge added.

"I've always said: We want to achieve sporting success, but please, in a serious and financially sound way.

"We have a top team this year as well. And when the players who are currently injured come back soon, then we'll have a great team."