Bayer Leverkusen believe Florian Wirtz will stay until ‘at least 2024’ despite interest from Premier League giants Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, as reported by BILD.
Last weekend, Leverkusen went head-to-head with Bayern Munich, trading blows during 90 exhausting minutes in the Bundesliga.
Yes, Gerardo Seoane’s side failed to land the knockout blow but the fact remains that they survived until the final bell and came within touching distance of a coupon-busting upset. And that is more than can be said of most of Germany’s top flight during a decade of unprecedented Bavarian dominance.
If Leverkusen can keep this highly talented crop of players together – Patrik Schick, Kerem Demirbay, Jeremie Frimpong, Moussa Diaby and the mercurial Wirtz – then the Bundesliga may finally have a side capable of usurping Bayern’s throne.
Then again, doing so will be easier said than done. Leverkusen have sold many a star man in recent windows and each of the aforementioned quintet have been the subject of transfer rumours of late.
Wirtz in particular.
According to BILD, Liverpool, Tottenham and nouveau-riche Newcastle are just three of the clubs eyeing up perhaps the most naturally-talented teenager in world football today.
But Fernando Carro, Bayer’s CEO, believes an 18-year-old tipped to become ‘the best player in Germany ever’ will be sticking around for another couple of seasons.
Is Florian Wirtz staying at Bayer Leverkusen?
“We try to keep him as long as possible,” says Carro. “Not only until 2023, but at least until 2024. I assume that he will not leave before 2024.
“We try everything to keep the best young players. We have to play football in the Champions League and fight for trophies. Then the boys are more likely to stay with us. We need sporting success to keep the players with us.”
Wirtz has contributed 23 goals and assists in 29 games this season. A remarkable tally for any young forward, let alone one who will not turn 19 for another two months.
“If he leaves in 2023 or 2024, he can choose the club (he wants to join). Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool,” Bundesliga legend Karl-Heinz Korbel said a few weeks ago.
“I think he’d be a good fit for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, replacing Sadio Mane.”
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