Liverpool are in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz – but Manchester United now think they can swing the battle in their favour.
The Mirror (26/12, p78) report that Liverpool are keen to bring Wirtz to Anfield.
However, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Chelsea are keen too, and there is now a new prob elm on the horizon in United.
The Red Devils allegedly believe that the presence of Ralf Rangnick will help swing the balance in their favour.
Rangnick is a big deal over in Germany having inspired the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel.
Now managing United until he takes over as director of football in the summer, Rangnick could bring Wirtz to Old Trafford.
Leverkusen are understood to want £70million for 18-year-old Wirtz, who has smashed five goals and eight assists in 15 league games this season.
Would Wirtz be better off at Liverpool or United?
Wirtz primarily plays as a number 10, and United already have one they aren’t about to ditch in Bruno Fernandes.
Wirtz can’t afford to go into a situation where he is in and out or shoved out to a flank permanently.
In fact, United even have plenty of wide options in Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
Klopp hasn’t really used a number 10 at Liverpool since Philippe Coutinho’s exit, so bringing in Wirtz may take some changing of the system.
Wirtz could even be a false nine like Roberto Firmino, featuring as the spearhead of the Liverpool attack.
Wirtz has rejected Liverpool and Klopp once last year, but a move to Anfield does make a little more sense for his future than joining United.
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