Reported Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz could ask to leave Bayer Leverkusen if they don’t secure European football next season.
That’s according to TeamTalk, who claim that Wirtz is being ‘seriously looked at’ by Manchester City. Despite the 19-year-old having four years to run on his contract, City are reportedly planning a bid this summer.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking at bringing in Wirtz as part of a midfield overhaul. Two more reported Liverpool targets – Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice – are said to be ‘towards the top’ of his shortlist, along with Wirtz.
Klopp eyeing Wirtz deal
In their report, TeamTalk note what respected journalist Fabrizio Romano had to say about Wirtz earlier in the week.
Namely, Romano reported that the Leverkusen youngster is very much a player that Liverpool like the look of. The transfer expert claimed that Jurgen Klopp in particular is a big fan of Wirtz and would love to bring him to Anfield.
This news shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. We wrote back in March last year how the teenager could be an ideal replacement for Roberto Firmino.
That was just before an ACL injury ruled Wirtz out for 10 months. Prior to that, he’d been taking the Bundesliga by storm as a very young player indeed. His form led to a call-up for the senior German national team, with head coach Hansi Flick deeming him to be an ‘outstanding’ talent.
It was therefore no surprise to see Wirtz back in the Germany fold for this week’s friendlies. He may have dropped out of football’s consciousness for a while, but this is a sensational young player.
Given his potential price-tag, it seems unlikely that Liverpool could get him this summer. As Romano also reported, any move for Wirtz would likely be in 2024. But with City lurking and Leverkusen set to miss out on Europe, maybe that will be accelerated. Looks like we might need a favour from our old mate Xabi Alonso…
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