Bayern Munich fears competition from Liverpool in the race for Florian Wirtz, according to reports from Germany. The Bundesliga champions have made the Bayer Leverkusen star their top priority, but they are aware that Liverpool also has a strong position.
Embed from Getty Images
For months, the transfer saga surrounding Florian Wirtz has been one of the most closely watched stories in European football.
Initially, all signs pointed to a two-way race between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants tracking the young German playmaker as a potential long-term successor to players like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos. However, according to fresh reports from Kicker and BILD, the situation has shifted dramatically in recent weeks with Liverpool emerging as perhaps the strongest contender for Wirtz's signature.
Last week marked a major development in the story: representatives from Liverpool, including senior club officials, reportedly met with Wirtz and his family to present their vision for the future. The meeting was described as “very positive” by German media, with Liverpool making it clear that they view Wirtz not just as a marquee signing, but as a central figure in the club’s rebuilding process under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutch coach, who succeeded Jürgen Klopp, is said to be heavily involved in the transfer pursuit and views Wirtz as a perfect fit for the new tactical identity he hopes to implement at Anfield.
While Bayern Munich have long considered Wirtz their top priority for the summer window, the competition from Liverpool appears to be intensifying. Bayern, now led by Vincent Kompany, have also made their intentions clear. Kompany has personally spoken with Wirtz in an effort to convince him that his future lies in Munich, where he would be expected to take on a leading role in the club’s next generation. Yet, despite Bayern’s longstanding interest and domestic prestige, their position is no longer as dominant as it once seemed.
The situation now appears to be finely balanced. Both clubs are reportedly willing to meet Bayer Leverkusen’s massive asking price, which exceeds €100 million, and both are prepared to build their squads around the 21-year-old attacking midfielder. The final decision rests with the player himself a choice that will likely shape the course of his career and have ripple effects across European football. According to Kicker, Wirtz is expected to make his decision within the next ten days, as both clubs push for clarity ahead of pre-season planning.
For Bayern Munich, securing Wirtz would not only be a statement of intent after a trophyless season, but also a move to retain domestic supremacy in the face of growing competition from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and other Bundesliga rivals. Kompany, freshly installed as manager, is under pressure to deliver a clear vision and to reinvigorate a squad that showed signs of decline. The club’s inability to secure alternative targets further underscores just how crucial Wirtz is to their plans. If they fail to land him, Bayern could be left scrambling in the market without a clear Plan B.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are navigating a period of transition following the departure of Klopp, one of the most iconic managers in the club’s modern history. Arne Slot is tasked with ushering in a new era, and landing a talent like Wirtz would not only boost the team’s creativity but also signal that Liverpool remain a destination of choice for world-class talent. The club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have reportedly greenlit the financial backing needed to make such a high-profile deal happen a significant move given their typically cautious spending.
Wirtz’s statistics from the 2024/25 season speak for themselves: 16 goals and 14 assists across 45 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. He was a central figure in Xabi Alonso’s dynamic system, showing remarkable maturity, vision, and versatility for a player so young. His ability to operate between the lines, dictate tempo, and score crucial goals has made him one of the most sought-after players in Europe. Notably, he also plays with a composure and intelligence rarely seen in players of his age, drawing comparisons to legends like Mesut Özil and Thomas Müller.
His potential move could break multiple records, both in terms of Bayer Leverkusen’s highest-ever transfer fee received and potentially setting a new British transfer record if Liverpool secure the deal. The player himself has remained tight-lipped about his future, publicly focusing on Germany’s preparations for the upcoming European Championship, but behind the scenes, discussions are said to be advancing rapidly.
For now, the football world waits. Will Wirtz choose the promise of Premier League stardom at Liverpool under a new and ambitious project? Or will he opt to stay in the Bundesliga and lead Bayern Munich into a new era of dominance?
What is clear is that whoever wins this race will not only gain one of the most exciting talents in world football they will also strike a major blow in the broader battle for European supremacy.
