Arne Slot informed Florian Wirtz that Bayern Munich would not be interested in signing him, making it easier for him to reject their offer.
Bayern Munich’s tough defeat to Liverpool might actually prove beneficial for them in the long term.
The Bavarian powerhouse, in fact, has several other critical areas within their squad that require attention beyond just strengthening the No.10 spot.
How Liverpool Outmaneuvered Bayern for Florian Wirtz
For months, it was almost certain that Bayern Munich would secure Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Manchester City had already stepped away from the race, deterred by the enormous financial demands of the transfer. Meanwhile, Real Madrid appeared reluctant to make a serious move before the 2026 summer transfer window.
This situation seemed favorable for Bayern—until Liverpool, under Arne Slot, made a compelling case for Wirtz.
According to Christian Falk’s exclusive report for CaughtOffside: “On Sunday, May 18, a confidential meeting took place in Munich with Florian Wirtz. He was chauffeured from the airport directly to a hotel in a limousine. From an underground garage, he was escorted to a suite by elevator. There, Wirtz met with coach Vincent Kompany, sporting director Max Eberl, sports director Christoph Freund, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, and supervisory board members Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß. This happened on the day of Bayern’s championship celebrations.
“After the discussions, Wirtz took a holiday to reflect. After five days, he politely declined Bayern’s offer, informing Kompany. His father also contacted Eberl and Hoeneß. The deciding factor was that Arne Slot promised him full ownership of the number 10 role at Liverpool, whereas in Munich, he would have had to compete with Jamal Musiala. The conversations with the coaching staff were crucial in his choice.”
How Close is Liverpool to Securing Wirtz?
Liverpool has reportedly put forward a bid of approximately £109 million (€130 million) for Florian Wirtz.
Once the clubs finalize the additional terms, it’s highly likely that the German international will join Anfield.
This transfer would set a new record for Liverpool, surpassing the £85 million spent on Darwin Núñez.
With Núñez expected to leave this summer, bringing in one of Europe’s brightest young talents as their record signing is undoubtedly welcome news.
A Bold Statement in the Premier League
Beyond breaking Bayern’s hold on top German players, Liverpool’s willingness to spend over £100 million—an amount they had previously considered for Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo—sends a clear message.
Arne Slot’s side is signaling to their Premier League rivals that they are determined to defend their title—a feat the Reds haven’t accomplished since the 1983/84 season.
More than that, this aggressive move serves as a strong response to their disappointing exit in the Champions League round of 16 against this season’s finalists, PSG.
