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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What Florian Wirtz's decision to join Liverpool shows about his ambition
When Florian Wirtz was 18, he was interviewed by Bayer Leverkusen's club magazine. The headline was a quote from the teenager: 'I have big dreams'. If he leaves, as looks likely, it will be after making Leverkusen's biggest come true and yet while showing he didn't share the dream of many a star at Germany's other clubs. From Lothar Matthaus to Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane, they gravitated to Bayern, given their guarantee of trophies. The Bavarian dominance in the 21st century has been aided by an ability to raid the rest of Germany for their prized assets. Michael Ballack, taken from Leverkusen, was a pioneer. Jonathan Tah, going from Leverkusen this summer, follows in his footsteps, just as Dortmund were plundered when they represented Bayern's major rivals. Not Wirtz, though. A player who can weave his way past defenders is plotting a different path: to Liverpool. It is a dream with a big price, Liverpool's second bid amounting to €109m (£92m), Leverkusen still wanting more. It shows a certain ambition and audacity at Anfield: to target and tempt Wirtz. Logic suggested Wirtz would be paired with Jamal Musiala at Bayern, Germany's two generational talents together for club and country. Yet, Tah's decision notwithstanding, this Leverkusen have displayed a capacity to frustrate Bayern. Their maiden Bundesliga title ended the Bavarians' run at 11 in a row. Xabi Alonso rejected Bayern's advances to stay another year, Real Madrid instead his preferred destination. Now Wirtz is set to become Liverpool's new Jurgen Klopp: a man Bayern had wanted but never got. Florian Wirtz would be a statement signing from Liverpool (AFP via Getty Images) The similarities with Klopp may end there. Wirtz has a different kind of charisma; with the ball at his feet, caressing it, sometimes with the simplicity of a master, sometimes with a crowd-pleasing flair. He has a capacity to catch opponents out with deft footwork; in a different way, Liverpool demonstrated their own with an approach that almost came by stealth. Advertisement He would be a statement signing: win the title and then buy perhaps the most coveted player on the market this summer. Wirtz is an illustration that Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool can go very big: not often, normally when they have earned the right to and, encouragingly, usually successfully. Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were the £140m pair acquired for world-record fees. Relative to the prices previous centre-backs and goalkeepers cost, there was a case for arguing they paid over the odds; yet they bought players who were both among the best in the game in their position then and who still are now. The false economy would have been to spend less on lesser players. Wirtz, they may hope, becomes a similar case. Darwin Nunez has proved otherwise, but then his signing owed more to Klopp. Wirtz will join when Arne Slot's dealings are underpinned by the axis of the returning Michael Edwards and the relatively new sporting director Richard Hughes. He may be still be cheaper than Moises Caicedo might have been: Liverpool's £111m bid in 2023 remains an oddity, and they instead constructed a title-winning midfield for lower fees, but it again shows they will stretch the budget. Wirtz can be seen as a reward for relative austerity, for making a profit last summer. He would be, though, a coup that raises questions. The most immediate may be where he will play. There might have looked a more natural vacancy at Manchester City, with Kevin de Bruyne going, with a central creator required. At Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai is forever running but going nowhere. The Hungarian had a huge importance as a presser, a hassler, a harrier and a man who did some of Mohamed Salah's defending. There were days when he was incisive: he was wonderful in a week that brought back-to-back wins over City and Newcastle, for instance. Wirtz looks set to join Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen this summer (EPA) Wirtz's arrival does not simply indicate a like-for-like improvement on Dominik Szoboszlai (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Yet Slot often says a midfielder for Liverpool has to score goals and Szoboszlai's return can be slight, given his class. Wirtz offers more creativity, more end product after 34 goals in his last two seasons at Leverkusen; six of them came in this year's Champions League alone, albeit largely against weaker teams in the group. Advertisement So simply an upgrade as a No 10? It may not be that simple. Slot experimented with Szoboszlai as a No 8 at the end of the season. The Hungarian could still have a considerable role to play. And it does feel pertinent that, whereas there had been an expectation Liverpool would devote much of their budget to a striker this summer, they are instead committing it to an attacking midfielder. Luis Diaz was a qualified success when reinvented as a No 9 but Diogo Jota arguably regressed over the season. There were reasons to think the attacking upgrade would come in the centre of the attack, perhaps with Diaz competing with Cody Gakpo on the left. Where Wirtz will fit in Arne Slot's system remains to be seen (Getty Images) Alonso made few mistakes in his two-and-a-half years in Leverkusen but playing Wirtz as a false nine in the 2024 Europa League final against Atalanta may have been one of them. Nevertheless, one of Liverpool's finest performances of the season occurred in a striker-less 4-2-2-2, with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as twin No 10s against City. Slot soon abandoned the tactic, compelling as it seemed. At Feyenoord he built around a prolific centre-forward, in Santiago Gimenez. But there are reasons to revive it and a temptation to wonder if Wirtz, though very different, could take on the mantle of Roberto Firmino as the central conductor, with quick, wide raiders ahead of him (his Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong among them). Whatever the tactical idea, and further summer signings could help answer that, Wirtz looks the future of Liverpool. He can form part of the succession to Salah: not directly, as another right winger would be required for that. But he is a decade the Egyptian's junior. For most of the last decade, it has helped Liverpool's other attackers that Salah shouldered so much responsibility that the burden on them was reduced. They could score in his slipstream. Even as Salah has his new deal, his era may be entering its final couple of years. Perhaps Wirtz's big dream was to become Liverpool's main man.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
What Florian Wirtz's decision to join Liverpool shows about his ambition
When Florian Wirtz was 18, he was interviewed by Bayer Leverkusen 's club magazine. The headline was a quote from the teenager: 'I have big dreams'. If he leaves, as looks likely, it will be after making Leverkusen's biggest come true and yet while showing he didn't share the dream of many a star at Germany's other clubs. From Lothar Matthaus to Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane, they gravitated to Bayern, given their guarantee of trophies. The Bavarian dominance in the 21st century has been aided by an ability to raid the rest of Germany for their prized assets. Michael Ballack, taken from Leverkusen, was a pioneer. Jonathan Tah, going from Leverkusen this summer, follows in his footsteps, just as Dortmund were plundered when they represented Bayern's major rivals. Not Wirtz, though. A player who can weave his way past defenders is plotting a different path: to Liverpool. It is a dream with a big price, Liverpool's second bid amounting to €109m (£92m), Leverkusen still wanting more. It shows a certain ambition and audacity at Anfield: to target and tempt Wirtz. Logic suggested Wirtz would be paired with Jamal Musiala at Bayern, Germany's two generational talents together for club and country. Yet, Tah's decision notwithstanding, this Leverkusen have displayed a capacity to frustrate Bayern. Their maiden Bundesliga title ended the Bavarians' run at 11 in a row. Xabi Alonso rejected Bayern's advances to stay another year, Real Madrid instead his preferred destination. Now Wirtz is set to become Liverpool's new Jurgen Klopp: a man Bayern had wanted but never got. The similarities with Klopp may end there. Wirtz has a different kind of charisma; with the ball at his feet, caressing it, sometimes with the simplicity of a master, sometimes with a crowd-pleasing flair. He has a capacity to catch opponents out with deft footwork; in a different way, Liverpool demonstrated their own with an approach that almost came by stealth. He would be a statement signing: win the title and then buy perhaps the most coveted player on the market this summer. Wirtz is an illustration that Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool can go very big: not often, normally when they have earned the right to and, encouragingly, usually successfully. Virgil van Dijk and Alisson were the £140m pair acquired for world-record fees. Relative to the prices previous centre-backs and goalkeepers cost, there was a case for arguing they paid over the odds; yet they bought players who were both among the best in the game in their position then and who still are now. The false economy would have been to spend less on lesser players. Wirtz, they may hope, becomes a similar case. Darwin Nunez has proved otherwise, but then his signing owed more to Klopp. Wirtz will join when Arne Slot's dealings are underpinned by the axis of the returning Michael Edwards and the relatively new sporting director Richard Hughes. He may be still be cheaper than Moises Caicedo might have been: Liverpool's £111m bid in 2023 remains an oddity, and they instead constructed a title-winning midfield for lower fees, but it again shows they will stretch the budget. Wirtz can be seen as a reward for relative austerity, for making a profit last summer. He would be, though, a coup that raises questions. The most immediate may be where he will play. There might have looked a more natural vacancy at Manchester City, with Kevin de Bruyne going, with a central creator required. At Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai is forever running but going nowhere. The Hungarian had a huge importance as a presser, a hassler, a harrier and a man who did some of Mohamed Salah 's defending. There were days when he was incisive: he was wonderful in a week that brought back-to-back wins over City and Newcastle, for instance. Yet Slot often says a midfielder for Liverpool has to score goals and Szoboszlai's return can be slight, given his class. Wirtz offers more creativity, more end product after 34 goals in his last two seasons at Leverkusen; six of them came in this year's Champions League alone, albeit largely against weaker teams in the group. So simply an upgrade as a No 10? It may not be that simple. Slot experimented with Szoboszlai as a No 8 at the end of the season. The Hungarian could still have a considerable role to play. And it does feel pertinent that, whereas there had been an expectation Liverpool would devote much of their budget to a striker this summer, they are instead committing it to an attacking midfielder. Luis Diaz was a qualified success when reinvented as a No 9 but Diogo Jota arguably regressed over the season. There were reasons to think the attacking upgrade would come in the centre of the attack, perhaps with Diaz competing with Cody Gakpo on the left. Alonso made few mistakes in his two-and-a-half years in Leverkusen but playing Wirtz as a false nine in the 2024 Europa League final against Atalanta may have been one of them. Nevertheless, one of Liverpool's finest performances of the season occurred in a striker-less 4-2-2-2, with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as twin No 10s against City. Slot soon abandoned the tactic, compelling as it seemed. At Feyenoord he built around a prolific centre-forward, in Santiago Gimenez. But there are reasons to revive it and a temptation to wonder if Wirtz, though very different, could take on the mantle of Roberto Firmino as the central conductor, with quick, wide raiders ahead of him (his Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong among them). Whatever the tactical idea, and further summer signings could help answer that, Wirtz looks the future of Liverpool. He can form part of the succession to Salah: not directly, as another right winger would be required for that. But he is a decade the Egyptian's junior. For most of the last decade, it has helped Liverpool's other attackers that Salah shouldered so much responsibility that the burden on them was reduced. They could score in his slipstream. Even as Salah has his new deal, his era may be entering its final couple of years. Perhaps Wirtz's big dream was to become Liverpool's main man.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
🔥 Clubs gearing up for extra Club World Cup window, top deals here
FIFA's special window for the Club World Cup opens this Sunday (1), with clubs having until June 10 to bring reinforcements for the competition. FIFA has opened this special window, so that no club misses the opportunity to seek more players for the competition, which begins on June 14, in the United States. Advertisement Check out the stars who were recently signed and some who may still appear for the FIFA Club World Cup! Trent Alexander-Arnold Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool, after nine years, 352 games and eight titles, and was announced by Real Madrid, this Friday (30). With Dani Carvajal still injured, and without Lucas Vásquez, who will not have his contract renewed, the signing of the English right-back was one of Real's priorities, who would have agreed to pay 11 million euros, to have the player already for the World Cup. Jonathan Tah One of the main players in the Bundesliga, Jonathan Tah switched sides in Germany. Advertisement Announced last Thursday (29), the German defender comes to save the day for Bayern Munich, which has been suffering from injuries in the defensive sector. Andrey Santos Finally, we will be able to see the young Brazilian midfielder on the field for Chelsea! After establishing himself as one of the best players in Ligue 1, for Strasbourg, Andrey Santos will be with the Blues in the World Cup competition. In France, the youngster established himself, became captain and accumulated 11 goals and five assists, in 34 games, a performance that also earned him a call-up for the Brazilian National Team. Jorginho Target of Flamengo, Jorginho is still trying to get released to be able to defend the Rubro-Negro in the Club World Cup. Advertisement The Italian-Brazilian midfielder would already have an agreement with Fla, only the release with Arsenal, with whom he has a contract until June 30, is pending. And that's where the problem lies! According to journalist Venê Casagrande, to terminate the contract with the Gunners, the midfielder would have to give up a bonus of 800 thousand pounds - R$ 6 million at the current exchange rate. Jorginho would not be willing to give up this amount, and Flamengo would not like to pay, as they understand that this does not make sense. Di María It's not exactly a signing, but it's definitely worth highlighting. Advertisement Set to return to Rosario Central, in Argentina, Di María will play the World Cup for Benfica, before transferring to the club that revealed him. Cristiano Ronaldo No one knows yet where the Portuguese star is going! With a contract until June 30 with Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo announced the "end of the chapter" for the Arab team. But the club itself stated that it has not yet thrown in the towel for the Portuguese star, who would still have Fluminense, as a chance to play the Club World Cup. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Botafogo would not be interested in signing CR7, leaving Flu, according to Marca newspaper, as a possible destination to participate in the Club World Cup, perhaps, in a Last Dance against Lionel Messi, from Inter Miami, in the USA. Advertisement Check out some stars who were signed in the European winter window, also aiming at the World Cup competition Sergio Ramos, Monterrey (Mexico) Ander Herrera, Boca Juniors Gonzalo Montiel, River Plate Danilo, Flamengo Paulinho, Palmeiras Chukwuemeka, Dortmund Kolo Muani, Juventus Marmoush, Man City Kvaratskhelia, PSG So, folks? Who else could participate in the Club World Cup? Remembering that Paul Pogba, free from the doping punishment that took him off the fields, is only 32 years old! Would the French star have a place in any team? OPINE! This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. 📸 FAYEZ NURELDINE - AFP or licensors
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Germany defender Tah signs four-year deal with Bayern
dpa Munich Germany defender Jonathan Tah is moving to Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions said in a statement on Thursday. The 29-year-old's contract is up at Bayer Leverkusen on June 30 and he will be joining the league rivals on a four-year contract. Bayern did not specify when Tah would officially begin training or whether he would be eligible to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup. His Leverkusen deal officially covers the first two weeks of the tournament in the United States. Should he play in the tournament, Bayern would need to negotiate a transfer fee with Leverkusen. The move comes after a one-year delay. Bayern were interested in signing Tah last season, but Leverkusen's request of up to 30 million euros to release the defender was considered high by the Bavarian bosses. 'It's no secret that we've had Jonathan Tah on our radar for a long time. We appreciate his quality: he's a character who takes on responsibility. Jonathan had a lot of offers but chose FC Bayern, which pleases us very much,' board member for sport Max Eberl said. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen added: 'We're delighted to welcome Jonathan Tah to FC Bayern. As an experienced international and leader, he brings the consistency and quality that will strengthen our defence. 'He's a real gain for us - and he's also proven that he can win titles.'
Nahar Net
3 days ago
- Sport
- Nahar Net
Bayern Munich signs defender Jonathan Tah from Bundesliga rival Leverkusen
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 May 2025, 15:57 Bayern Munich strengthened its defense ahead of the Club World Cup by signing Germany center back Jonathan Tah from its Bundesliga rival Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday. Munich said Tah arrives on a free transfer with a contract until June 2029. "It's a very special feeling," Tah said. "It felt very big, seeing the shirt with my number and name on it. I'm just really looking forward to being able to wear the shirt properly for the first time in a match. I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we're successful as a team and win lots of trophies together." For now, it was doubtful Tah would be with Bayern for its opening Club World Cup games next month. Bayern's statement didn't specify when he would join the team. Leverkusen would be entitled to a fee to release Tah before his current contract expires at the end of June. Leverkusen hadn't immediately commented on Tah leaving the club. Bayern pursued Tah for more than a year after failing to sign him last summer, when Tah refused to extend his contract beyond the 2024-25 season. "It's no secret that we've had Jonathan Tah on our radar for a long time," Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said. "Jonathan had a lot of offers but chose Bayern, which pleases us very much." He was Leverkusen's longest-serving outfield player after spending a decade at the club and was a key part of the team which won the Bundesliga and German Cup unbeaten in 2023-24. How Leverkusen replaces Tah is a key question in the rebuild the club must pursue with new coach Erik ten Hag after Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid. Club World Cup complications Bayern was expected for months to sign Tah as a free agent but the Club World Cup complicates matters. The German champion has three group games before Tah's Leverkusen contract was due to expire June 30, starting with Auckland City in Cincinnati on June 15. That meant Leverkusen had the right to demand a fee if Bayern wanted to sign Tah earlier, in the extra transfer window running June 1-10. Getting Tah sooner is important for Bayern because its first-choice central defense pairing has faced a demanding schedule this season and struggled with injuries. Dayot Upamecano has been out since a knee injury in March, while Kim Min-jae played much of the season with an Achilles tendon problem. Backup central defender Eric Dier is leaving for Monaco, while injuries limited Hiroki Ito to a handful of games. "In Jonathan Tah we've acquired a player with international experience and quality, who won't need much time to establish himself in our defense," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said. "He'll be a good and important addition for us with his technical qualities as well as his manner and the way he leads." A late developer Tah was an up-and-coming talent when he joined Leverkusen from Hamburger SV in 2015 but it still took years for him to establish himself as one of Germany's best. After making his international debut at the age of 20 in a friendly against England in 2016, Tah had to wait until Julian Nagelsmann's arrival as coach in 2023 to become a regular starter for his country. Germany's run to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 on home soil was Tah's first major tournament. Of his 35 international appearances, 19 have come in the last two seasons.
