Florian Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool has emerged as one of the most significant stories from the past summer in the football world. Initially rumored to be headed to Bayern Munich, the young German talent ultimately chose to join the Premier League side. In a recent episode of the “Spielmacher” podcast, Robert Andrich, Wirtz’s former teammate at Bayer Leverkusen, shared the efforts he made behind the scenes to sway Wirtz against moving to Bayern.
Andrich expressed his concerns regarding Bayern’s dominance in German football. He urged Wirtz during their discussions, saying, “Please don’t do it! Don’t put us through this.” His worries were primarily athletic, as he believed that if Bayern acquired the league’s best player after their successful double-winning season in 2024, it would make it nearly impossible for Leverkusen to maintain a competitive edge.
Surprisingly, Andrich, who had been convinced that Wirtz would end up in Munich, felt relieved when Wirtz opted for Liverpool, even though the move caught him off guard. He admitted, “I didn’t think he would take the step abroad so soon.” Since joining Liverpool, Wirtz, who has a market value of €125 million, experienced some initial adjustment challenges but is gradually finding his rhythm. In the last six weeks, he has been directly involved in seven goals for the Reds.
In other news, Bayer Leverkusen is set to face TSG Hoffenheim this Saturday, as they continue to vie for top positions in the Bundesliga.