Liverpool Firm on Florian Wirtz Amid Bayern Interest
Liverpool are standing firm on Florian Wirtz and have no intention of cashing in to Bayern Munich any time soon, despite growing noise around the German’s slow-burning start at Anfield.
The 22-year-old arrived in the summer of 2025 as one of the centrepieces of Liverpool’s lavish post-title rebuild, part of a £400m recruitment drive following their Premier League triumph. His own deal was the headline act: £116m to prise the Bundesliga’s standout performer from champions Bayer Leverkusen after their 2024/25 title win.
So far, the return has been mixed. Wirtz has produced flashes – moments that hint at the player who lit up Germany – but he has not yet dictated games with the regularity expected of a nine-figure signing. The patience in the stands is starting to fray. Outside the club, some have already started to question the fit.
Paul Merson is among those who have gone public with their doubts. Speaking on Sky Sports, he did not hide his concern.
“I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. I’m a big fan of him, I think he’s a special player,” Merson said. “But it isn’t working; it just isn’t working. I don’t know how long they can wait.”
That kind of verdict, combined with Wirtz’s pedigree in the Bundesliga, has inevitably dragged Bayern Munich into the conversation. Reports have suggested the German champions could try to tempt him back home, capitalising on his uneven adaptation to English football.
Inside Liverpool, the mood is very different.
Liverpool still backing their £116m man
Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke has poured cold water on the idea that Liverpool are ready to move Wirtz on, stressing that the club hierarchy remain committed to making the transfer work.
“They’re still relying on him,” O’Rourke told Football Insider. “I don’t think there are any plans on Liverpool’s end to offload Florian Wirtz anytime soon. I don’t think they’re ready to write him off just yet.
“He was very impressive in that Champions League win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month as well. So look, it’s up to Andoni Iraola to find the best position for him in the team and try and get the best out of Florian Wirtz.”
That performance against Atletico has been one of the key reference points inside the club: a reminder that, when the structure suits him, Wirtz can still grab a big European night by the collar.
Bayern links dismissed – for now
From Germany, the message is equally clear on Bayern’s supposed interest. Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk has strongly rejected claims that the Bavarians are lining up a “shock move” for Wirtz.
“It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are tracking Florian Wirtz and could make a shock move for the Liverpool player. My information is that this is not true,” Falk said on CF Bayern Insider.
He did, however, lift the lid on how close Bayern once came to landing the playmaker before his Premier League switch.
“Of course, there is a big history between FC Bayern and Wirtz. There were two secret meetings before he decided on Liverpool: the first one in Munich and then in Liverpool as well. At the time, Arne Slot persuaded the German international to switch to Merseyside.
“If there is such a connection, you’re always going to have rumours – even more so when there are concerns over his performance levels in England.
“To be clear, I don’t necessarily share those concerns; I think Wirtz is performing better than he did last year. He has a new position in the team. On the other hand, you have an ongoing topic with Jamal Musiala, where he’s not in his best possible shape at the moment due to his illness following his injury struggles last year.”
The Musiala situation, combined with Michael Olise’s emergence in Munich, has added extra layers to the speculation.
The Olise factor and talk of a future swap
Falk stopped short of completely closing the door on a future move, especially if the market shifts and Bayern have to make a big call on Michael Olise.
“Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to. However, there is nothing planned,” Falk explained.
“Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. Musiala has a long contract and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, FC Bayern have a lot of options. Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”
The financial reality matters. Liverpool’s outlay on Wirtz means any deal would have to be enormous or creatively structured. That is where the idea of a swap, or at least a chain of transfers, has crept into the conversation.
On the prospect of Wirtz being involved in a scenario with Olise, Falk said: “Everyone is hoping the former Crystal Palace star signs a new contract, but if not, and he decides for a transfer, of course Florian Wirtz would be a player who’s interesting for Bayern Munich.
“The German can play on the side or centrally. This would be a very interesting thing, and if you make a swap deal with Liverpool or sell Olise for a lot of money to Real Madrid, you have the money to make an offer for Wirtz.
“So, there are many, many positions which have to be discussed. I wouldn’t say it’s not true that Bayern Munich would have thought of that.”
For now, though, it remains theory and boardroom maths. On the pitch, the reality is simpler: Liverpool still expect Florian Wirtz to become the player they paid £116m for. The next few months will decide whether that belief hardens into vindication or turns into the most expensive rethink of their new era.
