Liverpool Dismiss Bayern's Interest in Florian Wirtz

Liverpool have no intention of cutting their losses on Florian Wirtz or entertaining Bayern Munich interest, despite growing scrutiny over the German’s slow-burning Anfield career.

The 22-year-old arrived in the summer of 2025 as the jewel of Liverpool’s post-title rebuild, part of a £400m recruitment drive following their Premier League triumph. He cost £116m from Bayer Leverkusen after starring in their 2024/25 Bundesliga-winning side, a statement signing designed to keep the champions at the top of English and European football.

The reality has been far less straightforward.

Wirtz has shown glimpses – moments of class that hint at the player who lit up Germany – but not with the consistency or authority expected of a nine-figure signing. The pressure has begun to tighten around him, and the debate has spilled into the studio.

Paul Merson did not sugar-coat it on Sky Sports. “I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz,” he said. “I’m a big fan of him, I think he’s a special player. But it isn’t working; it just isn’t working. I don’t know how long they can wait.”

The criticism has fed into speculation. As soon as a big-name German international stutters in England, the same rumour appears: Bayern Munich circling, the Bundesliga beckoning, a reset back home.

This time, though, those close to the situation are pushing back.

Liverpool still backing their £116m gamble

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke insists Liverpool are not preparing an exit route for Wirtz and still see him as central to their plans.

“They’re still relying on him,” O’Rourke told Football Insider. “I don’t think there are any plans on Liverpool’s end to offload Florian Wirtz anytime soon. I don’t think they’re ready to write him off just yet.

“He was very impressive in that Champions League win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month as well. So look, it’s up to Andoni Iraola to find the best position for him in the team and try and get the best out of Florian Wirtz.”

That Atletico performance has become a key reference point inside the club: evidence that, in the right role, Wirtz can still bend big European nights to his will. The challenge now sits squarely with Iraola – how to unlock that version of Wirtz every week, not just in flashes.

Bayern rumours knocked back

Over in Germany, the noise has been just as loud, especially with Bayern’s own attacking puzzle to solve and Jamal Musiala yet to hit top form after illness and previous injury issues.

Reports suggested Bayern were tracking Wirtz and weighing up a “shock move” to take advantage of his uneven start in England. Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk moved quickly to shut that down.

“It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are tracking Florian Wirtz and could make a shock move for the Liverpool player. My information is that this is not true,” Falk said on CF Bayern Insider.

He did, however, reveal how close Bayern once came to landing the playmaker.

“Of course, there is a big history between FC Bayern and Wirtz. There were two secret meetings before he decided on Liverpool: the first one in Munich and then in Liverpool as well. At the time, Arne Slot persuaded the German international to switch to Merseyside.

“If there is such a connection, you’re always going to have rumours – even more so when there are concerns over his performance levels in England.

“To be clear, I don’t necessarily share those concerns; I think Wirtz is performing better than he did last year. He has a new position in the team.”

The message from Falk is nuanced: Wirtz is under the microscope, but not collapsing under it. The tactical demands have changed, the role has shifted, and with that comes a different learning curve than the one he dominated at Leverkusen.

The Olise question and a future twist

The story doesn’t end with a simple “Bayern aren’t interested”. The next layer is more complex – and more intriguing.

With Michael Olise emerging as a central figure in Vincent Kompany’s evolving Bayern side, and Musiala still a long-term cornerstone, Bayern’s attacking options already look stacked. That has not stopped the idea of a future Wirtz-angled deal from surfacing.

Falk refused to completely dismiss the possibility of Wirtz one day returning to the Bundesliga – or being part of a bigger transfer puzzle involving Olise.

“So, you can see where some reports have taken these conditions and claimed that one plus one equals two,” he said. “Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to. However, there is nothing planned.

“Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. Musiala has a long contract and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, FC Bayern have a lot of options. Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”

On the prospect of a swap-style scenario or a domino effect involving Olise, Falk added:

“Everyone is hoping the former Crystal Palace star signs a new contract, but if not, and he decides for a transfer, of course Florian Wirtz would be a player who’s interesting for Bayern Munich.

The German can play on the side or centrally. This would be a very interesting thing, and if you make a swap deal with Liverpool or sell Olise for a lot of money to Real Madrid, you have the money to make an offer for Wirtz.

“So, there are many, many positions which have to be discussed. I wouldn’t say it’s not true that Bayern Munich would have thought of that.”

For now, it stops at thought. No bids, no formal talks, no active pursuit. Liverpool are not putting Wirtz in the shop window, Bayern are not at the door.

The real story is simpler, and far more ruthless: a £116m playmaker in a demanding league, at a club that cannot wait forever, fighting to prove that the flashes of brilliance can become the standard.