Karim Bellarabi has told Sky Germany that Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz will go ‘very, very far’ if the Liverpool and Tottenham transfer target can maintain his rapid rise.
Wirtz broke out as one of Germany’s brightest young talents in 2020 and fast established a key role in Leverkusen. The 18-year-old has already played 78 first-team games, scored 19 goals and provided 22 assists. He also made his first of four Germany caps last September.
The teenage dynamo offered 10 of his goals and 14 assists over 31 appearances this term. But Gerardo Seoane will now be without Wirtz for the rest of the season after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, having twisted his ankle and knee against Koln.
Wirtz was making his 22nd Bundesliga start this season at home to Koln earlier this month when he suffered the blow. He likely now faces at least six months on the sidelines and his place in Hansi Flick’s national side come the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is also now at risk.
The injury will not impact any transfer, as Bayer Leverkusen refuse to sell Wirtz until 2023 at the earliest, per Bild, who also cite interest from Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. Chelsea, Man Utd, Real Madrid and Barcelona have also scouted him.
And as well as waiting another year, Bild report Die Werkself value Wirtz at £125m if a club targets him before 2024. The Pulheim native is under contract at the BayArena until 2026.
Bellarabi backs ‘special’ Liverpool, Tottenham target Wirtz to go ‘very far’
Liverpool or Tottenham have a year to raise those sorts of funds to secure Wirtz’s transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. It would also make him one of the most expensive signings of all time. But BayArena teammate Bellarabi is confident the teen’s ceiling is beyond sky-high.
“Florian is a very special player with very special skills,” Bellarabi said. “I am quite sure that if he continues like this, he will get very, very far, and that would make me really happy for the boy.”
Wirtz has made 40 of his appearances with Bellarabi on the pitch for Bayer Leverkusen at the same time. They have also combined for one goal, while his best partnerships are with Patrik Schick (10) and Moussa Diaby (8). He has played 51 with Schick and 71 with Diaby.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
