Florian Wirtz had been courted by Bayern Munich and Manchester City before Liverpool stormed to the front of the queue for the outstanding Bayer Leverkusen star
Florian Wirtz had looked set to join Bayern Munich this summer, but Liverpool’s emergence as the frontrunner is explained by his recent comments. Liverpool have jumped to the front of the queue for the Bayer Leverkusen star and are now in negotiations with the German club and are confident of wrapping things up quickly.
Bayern are used to scooping up the best talent from the Bundesliga and were considered the most likely destination for Wirtz. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has been the best player in Germany for the past two seasons and there is a well-trodden path leading to Bavaria.
Manchester City had previously shown an interest, but are believed to have backed off when they learned of Leverkusen’s £120million asking price. Now Liverpool, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, are pushing forward with a deal, with Wirtz keen to move to the Premier League with team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, instead of staying in the Bundesliga.
Speaking recently, the Germany international explained why he was keen to try something new after racking up 16 goals and 15 assists for Leverkusen this season.
"I'm quite lucky to have so many excellent clubs right on my doorstep and to now be able to play for one of the best clubs in Germany and Europe,” he told Sports Illustrated Germany.
“I have great respect for the guys here in Leverkusen, who come from South America or Africa, for example, and leave their families and surroundings behind for their careers.
“I'm definitely keen to leave my comfort zone at some point and experience something new. I know the football changing rooms well enough and am convinced that I would quickly find a place anywhere.”
Wirtz has a close relationship with his parents, who represent him in negotiations. He is understood to have flown to the north west of England to scout out potential places to live if he were to join Liverpool, who have plenty of money set aside for transfer after only signing Federico Chiesa last summer.
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He is keen to work with Arne Slot, who won the Premier League title in his first season with Liverpool, and more importantly to find the right club for his development. “When I moved from Cologne to Leverkusen, I didn't think about my salary for a single second, but only about what was best for my career,” he explained.
“I don't even think about how much money I have in my account or what I could earn in the future. Of course, you should make sure you get a good contract. But for me, the sporting perspective is much more important than the money. And I think my parents would be angry if I were too fixated on money.
“After I moved to Leverkusen at 16, my parents managed my salary and sent me 150 euros a month. That shaped me. It was important to my parents that I didn't do anything stupid with my salary.”