ไทย
English
中國人
Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has spoken highly of Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz, while distancing the German club from any pursuit of their former transfer target.
As is typically the case with rising Bundesliga talents, Bayern made a push to secure Wirtz when he departed Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025, only to lose out on the $158 million midfielder to Liverpool.
Since his move to England, however, Wirtz has appeared a pale imitation of his former self, drawing widespread criticism from supporters and rivals. Manager Andoni Iraola has even had to address growing calls to leave the German international out of his starting eleven.
Speculation has surfaced around a potential switch to Bayern, but Hainer was swift to pour cold water on any such notion.
"First of all, I think Florian Wirtz is an exceptional player, there's absolutely no doubt about that," Hainer said.
"I almost feel a little sorry for him that he hasn't yet rediscovered the same form in England that he showed at Leverkusen, because we also need him for the German national team.
"[Bayern] have such a high-caliber squad, we're incredibly content at the moment, and therefore [a transfer] is not something we're considering."
Liverpool Forced Into Uncomfortable Wirtz Conversation
Liverpool have undeniably had to exercise patience with Wirtz. He registered 16 goals and 15 assists in his final campaign with Leverkusen but has fallen well short of replicating those numbers across his 18 months at Anfield.
Such a transition period can be expected from a young player, yet a price tag of $158 million makes remaining composed an almost impossible ask. Ultimately, it is that fee that fuels the expectations Wirtz is currently struggling to fulfill.
Liverpool believed they were acquiring one of Europe's finest attackers, and Bayern were bitterly disappointed to miss out on his signing. Hearing Bayern so openly dismissive of pursuing the 23-year-old now underscores just how dramatically his stock has fallen over 18 months.
Supporters expect Wirtz to have settled into life in England by this stage, and many are growing concerned that he simply may never do so. At some point, Liverpool will need to determine whether it remains worthwhile to continue investing time and resources into his progression.
Wirtz's deal at Anfield extends until the summer of 2030, meaning Liverpool are under no immediate pressure to act, but time is nonetheless moving on. His market value is declining, and the club will be conscious that cutting their losses could increasingly become the only viable path if Wirtz fails to turn things around soon.