Youngster Florian Wirtz was one of the key players who helped Bayer Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga title this season. The 20-year-old has been on the German record champions‘ radar for some time, but Bayer managing director Fernando Carro has made it clear that the attacking gem will not be moving to Munich this summer.
„There is interest from many clubs. We have a very good relationship with his parents. Their idea is for him to continue with us. In football, you can’t plan much longer than a year, but he will play in Leverkusen next season,“ the 59-year-old confirmed in an interview with the Spanish newspaper AS. For Carro, Wirtz is already one of the best players in Germany, and he even believes the attacking player will win a Ballon d’Or in the future, he said.
In addition to FC Bayern, Wirtz has also been linked with top international clubs such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City. However, according to recent media reports, his signing in Munich now appears to be a top priority. It is seriously expected that the poker will pick up speed in the summer of 2025. After another year with the Werkself, the youngster could then be ready to take the next step.
Wirtz transfer not possible until 2025
Wirtz came to Leverkusen from the youth ranks of 1. FC Köln for just €200,000 at the start of 2020. Four years later, the 20-year-old is worth more than €100 million. According to Carro, Bayer boss Simon Rolfes was largely responsible for this coup.
„He has been following his development since he was twelve or 13 years old. He had a lot of meetings with his parents, who also advised him. Many clubs were interested in him. He was no longer committed to Cologne and we seized the moment so that he wouldn’t go to Munich, Gladbach or Hoffenheim. It took years of work,“ explained the Leverkusen boss.
