Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has opened up on the transfer negotiations that led to Florian Wirtz’s club-record move to Liverpool
Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has lifted the lid on the club’s transfer negotiations with Liverpool after the Premier League champions signed Florian Wirtz in a club-record deal. The Germany international completed his switch to Anfield last month in a move worth up to a British record £116m.
Bayern Munich had previously been the favourites to sign the 22-year-old while Manchester City were also long-term suitors. But Liverpool stole a march on both clubs to secure the playmaker’s signature.
After Wirtz made his decision clear, a deal was struck with Leverkusen after three weeks of transfer negotiations. And Rolfes has praised the Reds for their conduct during talks as he revealed the midfielder signalled his desire to move to Merseyside back in May.
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“Florian’s requirement was that everyone be comfortable with the move,” Rolfes told Bild. “He told us, literally, that he hoped Bayer 04 would also be happy with the result.
“There wasn’t a single moment (where we realised he wanted to leave), but rather a development. Our goal was to extend Florian’s contract and keep him for at least another year.
“Gradually, we sensed that he was more interested in making a move. Starting in February and March, the discussions focused more on other clubs and other leagues. We always knew what he thought.
“We knew from the parents who they were talking to. The clubs from abroad (including Liverpool and Manchester City) also informed us, and they handled the matter in a highly professional and serious manner.
“In May he told us that he had decided to join Liverpool FC. I believe he’s a very good fit for Liverpool.
“The club has treated him very seriously. Florian was made to understand that they know exactly why they want him. This approach was a very important aspect of the overall package for him.
“All the clubs that had contacted us in advance were clear about the region in which the transfer would take place. We only negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us that was his preferred club.
“It was clear to me from the beginning of the negotiations that it would work out. Of course, everyone is fighting for their position, but it was always respectful.
“The people at both clubs know each other so well that a face-to-face meeting was not necessary. We handled the transaction over the phone, via email, and via video conference.”
Rolfes continued: “We as a club can be just as proud of it as Florian. We signed him at the beginning of 2020 at the age of 16 and built a very trusting relationship with him and his parents.
“He has matured into a global star with us. With his style of training, playing style, and his ambition, he has managed to take the club to a new level in the last five and a half years, together with the other players. He himself has improved every year.
“He’s 22 now, and he’s matured into a person who made this decision on his own. It’s important that he stands behind his decision 100 percent.”
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Following the sale of Wirtz to Liverpool, Leverkusen broke their own transfer record by signing Jarell Quansah in a deal worth up to £35m from the Reds.
Having seen the German side win a Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2023/24, Rolfes has hinted this is just the beginning as he admitted he is looking to build another team capable of winning the title with the money received from selling Wirtz.
“Florian’s path helps us because there are other examples as well,” he explained. “Like Kai Havertz, who moved to Chelsea in 2020, Moussa Diaby, who went to Aston Villa in 2023, or Jeremie Frimpong, who is now making the leap to the world’s elite with his move to Liverpool.
“What has changed with Flo in particular: Five years ago, a player who left us wanted to make it into Europe’s top 16. Now we ourselves are ranked 13th in the UEFA rankings.
“If an up-and-coming star leaves us now, he’ll be heading to the absolute world’s elite. The players can grow through us, but we also grow with them.
“Now, our goal is to use the transfer fee for Florian to build the next title-winning team. We want to sign players who will help us immediately with their quality and who also have the potential to develop.
“When a top player leaves us, he wants to take the final step to the world’s elite. And when we bring in new players, we want to sign those who have the motivation to be successful with us and to reach the very top.
“Our goal is to always be among the top four in the league and to be capable of winning titles.”
Rolfes also aimed a subtle dig at Bayern Munich after they missed out on Wirtz.
Bayern have since made their anger clear publicly at missing out on the midfielder while it had also been suggested they too had annoyed both the player’s camp and Leverkusen after previously briefing that a switch to Munich was a sure thing.
After joining Liverpool, Wirtz revealed he had wanted to join one of the top three clubs in the world and believed he had managed to do so by joining the Reds.
Quizzed about Wirtz’s admission, Rolfes snubbed Bayern Munich when asked which three teams he thought the midfielder meant.
“For me, Real Madrid and Manchester City,” he said. “Along with Liverpool, (they) are the clubs that have dominated European football in recent years.
“I believe they will continue to do so. You have to ask Florian (if he thinks the same or meant Bayern Munich).”