In a summer transfer window brimming with intrigue, the race for Florian Wirtz was one of the most closely watched sagas. Touted as the crown jewel of German football’s next generation, Wirtz had long been on the radar of Europe’s elite. But when the dust settled, it was Liverpool Football Club who pulled off the coup—beating out Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure the services of the 21-year-old maestro.
Now, Simon Rolfes, Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director and the man most closely involved in Wirtz’s development and eventual transfer, has lifted the lid on how the move unfolded—and how Jurgen Klopp’s vision, combined with meticulous negotiation, won the day.
In an exclusive conversation with German sports outlet Kicker, Rolfes detailed the behind-the-scenes drama, why Wirtz chose Anfield over Allianz or Etihad, and what this landmark deal means for German football.
Wirtz Germany’s Newest Star Europe’s Most Coveted
Before diving into the transfer, it’s worth understanding why Florian Wirtz generated such feverish attention. The attacking midfielder had been at the heart of Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga-winning Leverkusen side, which went the entire 2024/25 domestic campaign undefeated—a feat previously deemed impossible in Germany’s top flight.
Wirtz’s numbers speak for themselves:
- 12 goals
- 18 assists
- 91% pass completion rate
- 6.2 progressive carries per game
- Player of the Season (Bundesliga)
Yet beyond the stats, what set Wirtz apart was his spatial intelligence, ability to dictate tempo, and leadership despite his youth. Comparisons with Kai Havertz, Thomas Müller, and even a young Andrés Iniesta surfaced frequently.
Top clubs lined up. Bayern Munich saw him as the heir to Müller. Manchester City envisioned him as Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term successor. Real Madrid and Barcelona made inquiries. But Liverpool, emerging from a transitional season and with Jurgen Klopp in the final years of his tenure, were quietly laying the groundwork for a seismic move.
Simon Rolfes Breaks the Silence “Liverpool Were Relentless but Respectful”
Speaking from Leverkusen’s BayArena, Rolfes gave his first full account of the Wirtz transfer:
“We had interest from all the major clubs. It was not a surprise. But what stood out about Liverpool was the clarity. Jurgen Klopp knew exactly what he wanted from Florian—not just in terms of football, but as a person.”
Rolfes emphasized that while Bayern had made a “serious domestic offer,” and City were “prepared to pay anything,” Wirtz and his family prioritized the environment, playing philosophy, and development pathway.
“Liverpool didn’t try to dazzle with money. They presented a project. A vision of Florian as the heartbeat of their midfield for the next decade.”
Why Bayern Missed Out
For many in Germany, the assumption was that Wirtz would follow the well-trodden path from Bundesliga brilliance to Bayern Munich dominance. It had happened with Mario Götze, Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, and Joshua Kimmich.
Rolfes admitted Bayern’s approach was “well-organized” but lacked authentic engagement.
“Bayern made a very good offer. But there were questions Florian had about his role—would he be a centerpiece, or part of a rotation? Bayern couldn’t guarantee clarity.”
Another sticking point was Xabi Alonso’s continued presence at Leverkusen. With Alonso rejecting Bayern’s advances to stay one more season, Wirtz reportedly felt it was the right time for a fresh challenge rather than a lateral move.
Manchester City Close But Not Quite
If Bayern missed out due to familiarity, Manchester City missed out because of uncertainty. Guardiola admired Wirtz’s footballing IQ and had earmarked him as a potential successor to De Bruyne, who is now 34 and facing increasing injury concerns.
But City’s interest intensified late in the window, and Rolfes said the player’s camp was concerned about game time.
“Florian asked, ‘Will I play every week, or will I need to rotate in six positions?’ City couldn’t answer that with confidence. And they respected that.”
Additionally, personal rapport mattered. Klopp, who shares a cultural and linguistic connection with Wirtz and his family, spent hours on Zoom and personal visits, outlining his plans.
Inside Liverpool’s Masterstroke Klopp’s Personal Touch
What ultimately tipped the scales, according to Rolfes, was Klopp himself.
“Jurgen didn’t speak like a manager. He spoke like a mentor. He didn’t promise stardom. He promised growth. Florian and his father were moved by that.”
Klopp’s pitch was simple but powerful:
- A young core: Wirtz joining forces with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, and Stefan Bajcetic.
- A new tactical structure: Klopp intends to return to a 4-2-3-1 with Wirtz as the free-roaming No. 10.
- Long-term leadership: Wirtz is seen as a future vice-captain, with full backing from the club’s hierarchy.
Even Liverpool’s transfer committee, including Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, were aligned. They structured a deal that was both financially sound and respectful of Leverkusen’s legacy.
Transfer Details The Anatomy of a Blockbuster Deal
According to multiple sources and confirmed by Rolfes, the transfer was completed on the following terms:
- Fee: €95 million guaranteed, rising to €115 million with performance bonuses
- Add-ons: Appearances, Champions League progress, Ballon d’Or nominations
- Contract: Five years, with a sixth-year club option
- Wages: Approximately £200,000/week
Leverkusen also negotiated a 10% sell-on clause, ensuring continued benefit should Wirtz eventually move on again.
“It’s not just a good deal for us financially,” Rolfes said. “It’s a deal that respects the player, our club, and football integrity. Florian left with our blessing.”
Wirtz Speaks “Liverpool Felt Like the Right Step”
In his first interview as a Liverpool player, Wirtz spoke to the club’s media team:
“I had several options, but Liverpool felt different. It’s a club with heart. I’ve watched them since I was a child. The fans, the anthem, the energy—this is a place where I can grow.”
He also spoke glowingly of Klopp:
“He’s someone who doesn’t just care about winning—he cares about players becoming better people. That matters to me.”
Wirtz will wear the No. 10 shirt, vacated by Sadio Mané two seasons ago. Fans have already begun ordering kits, and social media has erupted with excitement.
Reactions Across Europe
The Wirtz-to-Liverpool deal has sparked debate and admiration across Europe.
- Germany
Pundits have called it a “bold and admirable choice” by Wirtz, with Bild praising his “independence of thought.” Some critics, however, lamented yet another Bundesliga talent heading abroad.
- England
Premier League analysts are hailing Wirtz as the most exciting Bundesliga import since Erling Haaland. Gary Neville called him “a generational midfielder” while Jamie Carragher warned, “If he clicks at Anfield, we’re talking about a Ballon d’Or candidate.”
- Spain
Marca speculated that Real Madrid may regret not pushing harder. Insiders say they considered Wirtz an option but prioritized Endrick and Kylian Mbappé instead.
What This Means for Liverpool’s Future
Wirtz’s signing is emblematic of a new era at Liverpool. With Mohamed Salah entering the twilight of his career and Klopp potentially nearing the end of his managerial journey, the club is planting seeds for sustained success.
Key implications include:
- A shift back to creativity through the middle
- Greater fluidity in attacking transitions
- Depth that allows tactical flexibility against both low blocks and high presses
It also reaffirms Liverpool’s pulling power. Despite missing out on Champions League football last season, they beat two financial powerhouses to the signature of one of Europe’s most sought-after players.
The Leverkusen Legacy Rolfes Reflects
For Rolfes and Leverkusen, the transfer is both a loss and a validation.
“Of course, we’ll miss Florian. But we’re proud. He gave us everything—loyalty, magic, and silverware. Now we watch him from afar, knowing we played a part in his story.”
Leverkusen are already reinvesting, with rising talents like Noah Mbamba, Iker Bravo, and Arthur ready to step up. Alonso’s system is proving capable of developing stars, not just relying on them.
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