Liverpool’s $170 Million Play for Wirtz Shows Bundesliga Limits
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match against FSV Mainz 05 at MEWA Arena in Mainz, Germany, on May 17.
Photographer: Pau Barrena/Getty ImagesLiverpool FC’s potential signing of German football star Florian Wirtz for a purported €150 million ($170 million) would not only leave Bayern Munich in the lurch, it’s also likely to rekindle debate about the Bundesliga’s ability to compete with Europe’s more lucrative leagues for talent.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was widely expected to join the German champions next season after helping to power home team Bayer Leverkusen to its first-ever league title a year ago, has signaled his preference to move to Anfield after talks with both clubs, Bild newspaper reported on Saturday.