A key factor behind Florian Wirtz's decision to choose a move to Liverpool over Manchester City has been revealed by a report in Germany.
Wirtz, 22, has become one of the most sought-after players in world football in recent months, with Liverpool, City and Bayern Munich all interested in signing the £126m-rated star.
City identified Wirtz as their top summer target and held talks with his representatives, but it emerged over the weekend that the attacking midfielder is set to join Liverpool instead.
According to Bild, Wirtz opted against a move to City due to concerns over the long-term future of Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola is widely regarded as the best manager of his generation and Wirtz had been keen to play under him, but the Spaniard only has two years remaining on his City contract.
He signed a new deal earlier this season to commit his future to City until 2027, but has since hinted that he will leave when his current contract ends to take a break from the game.
With this in mind, Wirtz has decided that he wants to join a club with a more stable management structure.
Arne Slot only arrived at Anfield last summer and delivered the Premier League title in his first season.
His contract is also due to expire in 2027, but is likely to be extended following his stunning first campaign on Merseyside.
Bild's report also states that Wirtz has given the green light to Liverpool due to the unique atmosphere created by the fans and the club's stature.
Liverpool's Premier League triumph was their 20th top-flight title, drawing them level with Manchester United. The Reds have also won six European Cups to United's three.
Liverpool are expected to proceed swiftly with wrapping up a deal for Wirtz, with the transfer window due to open on Sunday.
They are closing in on signing Wirtz's Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m to provide competition for Conor Bradley following Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, while Liverpool are also keen on Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez.
ParisforMancity
0
Grealish was just lucky Messi announcement of leaving Barcelona was made two days after his signing if not city would have never paid for him when they could have Messi for free.
yes dats true
ParisforMancity
0
Grealish was just lucky Messi announcement of leaving Barcelona was made two days after his signing if not city would have never paid for him when they could have Messi for free.
When you realize you were the problem.🥶yes
Sihabcory
1
man city is well as Liverpool
Dapcmostz
1
flop player
nellomcfc
2
A lot of top class players wish they could spend just a single year playing under Pep, ask Thierry Henry and others. City just didn't want to pay the £126m asking price
bamadiloty
0
wirtz is not that danger to cost 126 ml even geokres is not that expensive,his Club it doesn't want him Any more because he has missed many penalties and there are other bad pats of guy...
Halaad is busy missing penalties but you have that one season wonder 100 years contract
GBZ_15
0
wirtz is not that danger to cost 126 ml even geokres is not that expensive,his Club it doesn't want him Any more because he has missed many penalties and there are other bad pats of guy...
first the age between gyokeres and wirtz is big That's why wirtz cost more money, second wirtz miss many penalty ? dont worry there is salah .
ruecnprtuz
3
wirtz is not that danger to cost 126 ml even geokres is not that expensive,his Club it doesn't want him Any more because he has missed many penalties and there are other bad pats of guy...
Abuzmoonstruck
0
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
yeah trophy less city doesn't have more money. Leaving aside 115 [Crylaugh]
lungoulenhkip
0
it's taking too long...liverpool wrap it up fast..
Radbciorsu
0
we all know city withdrew becoz of his high price admin u lie here
and they paid 100m for Grelish
Radbciorsu
0
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
but you signed Grelish for 100m was it worthy the price you should have paid
Wibdiklnos
0
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
wat about ur flop Jack grealish and the Croatian left back from Leipzig ? Wirtz rejected u guys period
ManCityFanForever
3
We withdrew from the race otherwise we can buy him and also those clubs they trying to sign him lol
Wisackntyz
0
What is Liverpool don't win any trophies for the next 5 years, what will Wirtz say about it?
hahaha by next season, city's fanbase will decrease by a big margin. Mark my words they only show loyalty when they win. Now their future doesn't look bright. 25/26 will be Haaland's last season and then Pep will leave. 115 charges will come back to haunt them hahaha.
lowcdenost
0
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
it's not the only reason he is also afraid of manager going 2 years to come and uncertainty of a manager that will come after pep.so it makes sense for him to go where he is certain stay long long time
lowcdenost
1
yeah man city couldn't buy because it might expose them more for more charges from EPL and also the players choice play a role there too
BLIMAN1974
1
What is Liverpool don't win any trophies for the next 5 years, what will Wirtz say about it?
no what if in real life. the fact is we are the defending league champion.
Allfootball1995
3
What is Liverpool don't win any trophies for the next 5 years, what will Wirtz say about it?
Torres94
4
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
Stop talking nonsense, how much did Grealish cost them?
topacnprsu
6
The only reason why Wirtz is going to Liverpool is because City withdrew from the race to sign him due to the high price tag placed on him. £126 million valuation is ridiculously high for Wirtz. City does not throw money around like that.
Zuwabesz
2
Wirtz should pray everything goes well for Arne Slot. Liverpool aren't as patient as Arsenal, they can be so ruthless in sacking the manager when expected results aren't coming.
liar
kosaclmru
1
wirtz can be success at LFC , such others Germany fellow Didi Hamman, Karl Heinz Riddle, Marcos Babel
tadabensuy
2
Wirtz is for Liverpool
cikacdlnuy
1
good decision. Guardiola is a jerk
TrinityLove
0
city worked away from the deal..we going for something cheap with quality..we spent £180M in the last January transfer bought like 5-6player...mean while Wirtz total package is going for almost £252M for transfer fee salary and bonus....city are not stupid..oil money yes but we won't pay such money do u kw the reason why kusanov has not been featuring for city?there is a clause if he plays 10 matches we will remit €5M to lens🤣..guess wat he played only 9 games and pep put am for bench 😂😂..so dats city for u..Many times we av worked away from deals coz of high valuation... Jorginho we worked away wen he was in Napoli...Fred fernebache we worked away...De jong we worked away...Alex Sanchez we worked away and he went to Manu,Koli bali we worked away and went for Ruben Diaz..So oil money with sense..we will hardly repeat Grealish mistake neva
Grealish was just lucky Messi announcement of leaving Barcelona was made two days after his signing if not city would have never paid for him when they could have Messi for free.
TrinityLove
0
u forgot they didn’t spent in last 2 transfer windows...Man City weren’t trolled for high transfer fees rather those fees are oil money which was pumped into Man City's poor Finance illegally
So what if it's oil money at least they did not steal the oil from another country like you Europeans are stealing resources all over the place.
wowadrsyz
4
we all know city withdrew becoz of his high price admin u lie here
ChikosaJohn
2
welcome to the one of the best team in the world
lightrex
3
Imagine! Liverpool who used to troll and criticize City for paying high transfer fees are now breaking yet another EPL transfer record for Wirtz as they did before with VVD and Alisson.
u forgot they didn’t spent in last 2 transfer windows...Man City weren’t trolled for high transfer fees rather those fees are oil money which was pumped into Man City's poor Finance illegally
fudacmnpuy
2
negative.. you are mistaken cuz you don't really know,.. Liverpool is a very patient club klopp came 2015 and took Liverpool to two major finals in Europe but loss both finales we don't fire him Liverpool stuck with him for four years until things got better this club well structured so they just don't fire coaches because things not going well?? since the beginning of this century Liverpool fire only three Coach bradan Roger...benitex and danglish so compared this with man united...man city... Chelsea..temtenham..
daheimpsty
3
Imagine! Liverpool who used to troll and criticize City for paying high transfer fees are now breaking yet another EPL transfer record for Wirtz as they did before with VVD and Alisson.
VVD and Allison were bought from Coutinho sales..fyi
PEACEMAN555
4
your analysis is not cool at all, Liverpool is the most stingy of all premier league club, when city has been spending extravagantly who comment now that Liverpool are looking forward to secure a good player you said the total package is about 2+ that city is not stupid.... this is cos city still have some court count charges..... so think of what you say...
Jabacnostu
6
Imagine! Liverpool who used to troll and criticize City for paying high transfer fees are now breaking yet another EPL transfer record for Wirtz as they did before with VVD and Alisson.
ParisforMancity
5
city worked away from the deal..we going for something cheap with quality..we spent £180M in the last January transfer bought like 5-6player...mean while Wirtz total package is going for almost £252M for transfer fee salary and bonus....city are not stupid..oil money yes but we won't pay such money do u kw the reason why kusanov has not been featuring for city?there is a clause if he plays 10 matches we will remit €5M to lens🤣..guess wat he played only 9 games and pep put am for bench 😂😂..so dats city for u..Many times we av worked away from deals coz of high valuation... Jorginho we worked away wen he was in Napoli...Fred fernebache we worked away...De jong we worked away...Alex Sanchez we worked away and he went to Manu,Koli bali we worked away and went for Ruben Diaz..So oil money with sense..we will hardly repeat Grealish mistake neva
Vicacnpyz
1
wirtz never snub city cause if he did that means he snubs bayern more...it was city who walks away from the deal thinking that liverpool would stick to their words and not be involved in such expensive deals...but I guess every club buying trophies now not just man city lol
Spin it however you want
Chafoh
0
Wirtz should pray everything goes well for Arne Slot. Liverpool aren't as patient as Arsenal, they can be so ruthless in sacking the manager when expected results aren't coming.
Mikceknz
1
first reason was Frimpong, 2. Slot 3. Salah..... imo
Litelntz
1
wirtz never snub city cause if he did that means he snubs bayern more...it was city who walks away from the deal thinking that liverpool would stick to their words and not be involved in such expensive deals...but I guess every club buying trophies now not just man city lol
leyailmnpu
4
he wants to Liverpool wirtz
Charlesugwu
1
The reason makes sense
wizbekmopu
0
epl is not easy kid ..u have to give 100 percent otherwise manager doesn't help u instead throw you