Bayern Munich are plotting another raid on their Bundesliga rivals after conducting a secret meeting with Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
A report from German outlet Bild claims Wirtz is ‘at the top of Bayern’s shopping list’ and that a move for the 19-year-old could become a topic if Leverkusen fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Wirtz was reportedly promised that he could leave Leverkusen for a cut-price fee if they miss out on the Champions League, a situation that could become a reality with his side sitting 15th in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have chased him since he was a youth player and would go ‘all in’ to ensure Wirtz doesn’t move abroad, having missed out on former Leverkusen prodigy Kai Havertz, who ended up joining Chelsea.
Wirtz is described as being ‘receptive’ to Bayern’s interest after meeting with an intermediary from the club during the summer, where the club’s proposal and plans were outlined to the player and his father.
Wirtz, who has been out injured since March after tearing his ACL, only recently signed a new deal with Leverkusen until 2027 and is touted as one of the brightest talents in world football.
He has already been capped four times by the German national team and boss Hansi Flick is reportedly still considering including the midfielder in his World Cup squad despite his injury.
Bayern’s Bundesliga brigade
Bayern are hoping Wirtz will be the latest name in a long list of players that they have poached away from their divisional rivals.
At least seven of the Bavarian’s current first team were signed directly from another Bundesliga side, with Bayern splashing out more than €100 million on the likes of Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard.
Leon Goretzka, Marcel Sabitzer, Serge Gnabry and Joshua Kimmich also turned out for other Bundesliga sides before eventually making the move to the Allianz Arena.
Bayern also previously signed Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels from bitter rivals Dortmund, to help establish themselves as the king pins of the Bundesliga.