Wirtz transfer deal breakdown revealed through Eberl's remarks
Fresh Perspective:
Bayern Munich's sporting director, Max Eberl, spilled the beans about their missed opportunity with Florian Wirtz, just before jetting off for the Club World Cup. "I'm not sure we'd've copped the price Liverpool apparently forked over," Eberl admitted after huddling with the team in Orlando.
According to the grapevine, Liverpool, the reigning English champions, are looking to shell out a whopping €150 million for Wirtz, moving him from Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old made a surprising choice, opting for Liverpool over Bayern after some heated discussions.
"Yeah, the whole club sang Wirtz's praises, and honestly, we pictured him grinding it out with us at Bayern," Eberl confided. "But he made a different call, despite the lively chats."
Every member of the Bayern board, along with honorary presidents Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, were privy to negotiations with Wirtz. "Everyone was in on the convo. But Wirtz made a different move. That's how the transfer game plays out," Eberl quipped.
Now, it's time to shake it off and refocus. "When you first hear no, you think crap. But one door swiftly slams shut, and another one opens. Now we'll re-evaluate and set our sights on the future. Wirtz will shine on at Liverpool. Now we'll try to nab another awesome player to help us kill it."
Fun Facts
- Liverpool agreed to a jaw-dropping deal worth approximately £116 million (around €136.3 million) to land Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The agreement involves an upfront payment of £100 million (€117.5 million), and additional add-ons worth up to £16 million (€18.8 million)[2][3]. The final amount could potentially skyrocket, depending on performance-related bonuses, but it caps out at £116 million. This deal represents a new record for both Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, with the latter previously parting ways with Kai Havertz for £115 million[1][3].
- During negotiations, it became clear that Wirtz sought a move to Liverpool over other suitors, including Bayern Munich and Manchester City[1]. The nitty-gritty details of the Bayern negotiations remain under wraps for now. But their departure from the competition paved the way for Liverpool to secure the deal.
Despite Bayern Munich's pursuits and erstwhile interest in Florian Wirtz, the talented footballer chose Liverpool, leading to a €150 million transfer – setting a new record for both clubs. Now, Bayern focuses on finding another standout player to boost their chances in the upcoming Champions League and European leagues.
