![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2261815000.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLiverpool signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, with the likes of Real Madrid and Man City long having tracked the $157 million (\u00a3116 million) German<\/p>\n
Florian Wirtz signed for Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen.(Image: Lewis Storey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
German sports agent Volker Struth has claimed he tried to convince Real Madrid to sign attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz before his eventual transfer to Liverpool last summer.<\/p>\n
The Reds managed a significant coup<\/a> when Wirtz turned down offers from Bayern Munich and Manchester City<\/a>, opting instead for a $157 million (\u00a3116 million) switch to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n After a challenging start at Liverpool, the 22-year-old has emerged as a crucial player for Arne Slot’s<\/a> team. He has scored six goals and produced five assists since the beginning of December and was missed against Nottingham Forest when he was injured.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Sweden manager responds to Alexander Isak injury latest following Arne Slot update<\/a>READ MORE: Champions League player’s father claims his son could sign for Liverpool this summer<\/a><\/p>\n Real Madrid appointed the former Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso<\/a> in the summer, and rumor had it that the Spaniard wanted to take Wirtz with him. The pair had worked well together in Germany.<\/p>\n And agent Struth has shed light on how he personally reached out to Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, to propose a move to the Bernabeu for the Germany talisman.<\/p>\n “During the period when a move to Liverpool<\/a> or Bayern was being discussed, I called Xabi Alonso and told him: ‘You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real’,” he said.<\/p>\n Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n “Xabi replied: ‘You don’t have to tell me that, you have to tell Florentino Perez’. So I actually sent him a message: ‘Dear Florentino, I’ve told you many times before: I have a player here whom I would highly recommend’.<\/p>\n “Real were better in the past than they are now. And it’s quite clear: Florian Wirtz makes every team in the world better.”<\/p>\n Manchester City and Bayern Munich<\/a> were very keen on Wirtz but he chose Liverpool after being convinced on the move by Arne Slot.<\/p>\n That year, it simply wasn’t the right time due to the squad and the budget,” Struth, speaking on the Phrasenmaher<\/a> podcast, continued. “Even Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always overflowing.<\/p>\n Get LFC’s 2025\/26 season home and away kits<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> From $100<\/p>\n LFC.com<\/p>\n See the deal<\/a><\/p>\n Liverpool’s home and away strips for the 2025\/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.<\/p>\n Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com<\/a> or via the LFC Online Store<\/a> in both the US and across the world.<\/p>\n “I wasn’t deeply enough involved in the offers that were on the table. My greatest wish, of course, would have been to have Florian at Real Madrid<\/a> to see \u2014 and I don’t think I’m alone in that.<\/p>\n “Also, because of my history with Toni Kroos, because of my relationship with those in charge at Real Madrid, I also think he would be in very good hands there. He’s doing quite well in Liverpool now. He’s a very young player and who knows what might happen in his career.”<\/p>\n![\"Liverpool](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2262946976.jpg\")
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