Latest news with #UliHoeness
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
New details emerge of Arne Slot's promises that convinced Florian Wirtz to snub Bayern Munich for Liverpool
Arne Slot reportedly made a crucial late intervention to convince Florian Wirtz to snub Bayern Munich for Liverpool this summer. The German attacker, 22, is one of the biggest names on the market in the upcoming transfer window with Liverpool going head to head with Bayern to tempt the Bayer Leverkusen star to join. That came after Man City withdrew from the race over soaring fees and Bayern had remained as favourites, before Mail Sport reported last week that the Reds were edging ahead for the 22-year-old, who scored 16 goals and registered 15 assists this season. Hans-Joachim Wirtz, Florian's father, then reportedly informed Bayern executives Uli Hoeness and Max Eberl of his son's decision to choose Liverpool during a phone call last week after the trio met up. It is said that Wirtz's father - who acts as his agent - revealed the 22-year-old is keen for a new challenge outside of the Bundesliga after spending five years in Leverkusen's first team. Wirtz's decision to snub Bayern in favour of Liverpool is claimed to have left officials at the club shocked. And, according to German outlet Bild, a decisive meeting with Slot on May 13 was critical in Wirtz's decision. The report claims that the 22-year-old was given permission by Leverkusen to speak to both the Dutchman and Bayern boss Vincent Kompany and Wirtz travelled to England earlier this month. During a meeting, it is said that Slot left Wirtz captivated, not only with his own passion but also that of the club and its fans. Elsewhere, discussions about Wirtz's specific role similarly played a major role in his decision. Slot was clear in his plans of where Wirtz would be playing in his title-winning side and the German was also promised that he would be a central part of Liverpool's attack. The 22-year-old did hold further conversations with Bayern on May 18, with the Bavarian giants desperate to do all they could to entice Wirtz, one of the best young players in the world, to join. A secret meeting took place in Munich on May 18, the same day that Bayern were publicly celebrating regaining the Bundesliga from Leverkusen. The report goes on to claim that Wirz's father had advised his son to have another think about his pending decision ahead of that gathering, even though he was believed to be leaning towards a move to the Premier League. After being flown into Munich, Wirtz was picked up by Bayern in a limousine and then secretly transported to an unnamed hotel. Wirtz then spoke to Kompany in a private room, where the Belgian explained how he would fit into his side and put on a charm offensive, using his laptop to show a presentation to the 22-year-old. Another meeting then took place in a hotel suite with several key Bayern figures, including board members Uli Hoeness, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Jan-Christian Dreesen and sports directors Max Eberl and Christoph Freund. They were desperate to convince Wirtz to move to Munich, but Kompany is said to have already harboured concerns that Bayern were set to be snubbed by the Leverkusen star. And, days after that final meeting, Kompany's fears came true as Wirtz informed the club of his preference. This was confirmed by Bayern president Herbert Hainer on Saturday when he said: 'Max Eberl informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool.' Meanwhile, Mail Sport has previously revealed Liverpool have made formal contact with Leverkusen and the clubs will now negotiate over the hefty fee and potential add-ons. If Wirtz did complete a move, he would likely cost a British transfer record fee as Leverkusen want €150m (£125.9m).
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool close to Florian Wirtz confirmation, following transfer 'embarrassment': report
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Liverpool are on the verge of confirming Florian Wirtz as a Reds player. The Merseysiders lifted the Premier League title at the weekend – Liverpool's 20th English title in all – with manager Arne Slot suggesting that after a meagre first summer in charge in which the club only brought in Federico Chiesa, there would be transfer activity in the coming weeks. 'We didn't do a lot, and that makes it maybe even more special to win it this season,' Slot said in his post-match press conference. 'Now we will see if the team needs. We can do things better already by ourselves without adding any players. But if we can then we will definitely do so.' After Wirtz' parents were spotted in the UK eyeing up a new house ahead of a move, it was reported that the Reds' hierarchy had approved the decision to break the club's transfer record for the no.10. Virgil van Dijk still holds the all-time transfer record at Anfield, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claiming in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Liverpool's first bid for Wirtz was in excess of €100 million. Now, German publication BILD have reported via Sport Witness that Wirtz is set to move to the Premier League, while calling the whole saga an 'embarrassment' for Bayern Munich. Bayern legend and former FourFourTwo columnist Lothar Matthaus has shared his thoughts, calling the imminent deal 'painful' for Die Roten's honorary president Uli Hoeness, who has gone on record to state the club's interest in Wirtz. 'This is a defeat for Bayern, and for Uli Hoeness personally, certainly the most painful in the transfer market in recent times: he had repeatedly stated that Wirtz was their absolute dream player, and that Bayern would pull out all the stops to sign him,' Matthaus says. 'Bayern is simply not the no.1. The Premier League, with its quality at the top and its breadth, is the best league in the world, with great intensity and pace.' Wirtz is ranked at no.3 in FourFourTwo's list of the best attacking midfielders in the world right now, and in addition to him joining the Premier League champions, moves for Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are also in the works. The playmaker is valued at €140m by Transfermarkt.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bayern Munich issue bitter statement with Liverpool poised to seal £126m Florian Wirtz deal - as Bundesliga giants' chief aims dig at the Reds
Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen has aimed a dig at Liverpool with the Bundesliga giants appearing to have been beaten by the Reds to the £126million signing of Florian Wirtz. The German attacker is one of the biggest names on the market in the upcoming transfer window with Liverpool going head to head with Bayern Munich to tempt the Bayer Leverkusen star to join. That came after Man City withdrew from the race over soaring fees and Bayern had remained as favourites, before Mail Sport reported last week that the Reds were edging ahead for the 22-year-old, who scored 16 goals and registered 15 assists this season. Hans-Joachim Wirtz, Florian's father, reportedly informed Bayern executives Uli Hoeness and Max Eberl over a phone call this week after the trio met up. It is said that Wirtz's father - who acts as his agent - revealed his son is keen for a new challenge outside of the Bundesliga after spending five years in Leverkusen's first team. Wirtz's decision to snub Bayern in favour of Liverpool is claimed to have left officials at the club shocked. Bayern chief executive Dreesen has insisted the club remains appealing to top players, while he took aim at Liverpool's absence from the upcoming Club World Cup. ' FC Bayern is one of the absolute top clubs in Europe and the world. Our appeal among fans, but also among players, is enormous,' Dreesen told TZ. 'The fact that not every player will end up with us is simply part of the package; it's the same for other top clubs. But everyone knows: with FC Bayern, you can win everything every year, you're involved in every competition – the upcoming Club World Cup is a good example of that. 'Just look at which clubs are represented there – and, most of all, which (clubs) aren't. The best European clubs are competing there – including FC Bayern. 'Our appeal, sporting ambitions, and economic power are well known to all top players around the world.' Liverpool narrowly missed out on the Club World Cup having finished as runners-up to Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final. Bayern qualified as one of the 32 teams for the expanded competition due to being the best ranked eligible team in UEFA four year rankings. Mail Sport has previously revealed Liverpool have made formal contact with Leverkusen and the clubs will now negotiate over the hefty fee and potential add-ons. If Wirtz did complete a move, he would likely cost a British transfer record fee as Leverkusen want €150m (£125.9m). A reported earlier this week claimed Liverpool's opening offer was believed to be in 'excess' of €100million (£85m) with add-ons.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Leverkusen star Wirtz turns down Bayern in favor of Liverpool switch
BERLIN (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has seemingly turned down Bayern Munich in favor of a switch to Premier League champion Liverpool. The 22-year-old Wirtz, who has a contract with Leverkusen to 2027, was a summer target for Bayern with club powerbroker Uli Hoeneß openly calling for the Germany playmaker's signing. Sporting director Max Eberl had alluded to Wirtz' potential arrival when explaining Bayern's decision not to extend club favorite Thomas Müller's contract, saying the Bayern fans would understand when they saw who would be arriving at the club in the summer. But club president Herbert Hainer reportedly told fans this weekend that Eberl had informed him that Wirtz preferred a move to Liverpool. 'I can't say how matters will proceed with Leverkusen,' Hainer said at a Bayern fan fest, according to the Munich tabloid Abendzeitung. Bayern had been hoping young stars Wirtz and Jamal Musiala would define a new era at the club. But Wirtz' rejection upsets the Bavarian powerhouse's summer strategy and is a blow for a club used to getting its way. Bayern is known for signing its German rivals' best players, being able to offer more money and title-winning possibilities. Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and Mario Götze all switched from Borussia Dortmund when it was a genuine challenger, while Dayot Upamecano, Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer all joined from Leipzig in recent years. Bayern also coaxed coach Julian Nagelsmann from the latter. Dortmund star Marco Reus bucked the trend when he opted to resist Bayern's overtures in 2015. Bayern is expected to sign Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah after failing to reach agreement for his transfer last year. His Leverkusen contract is expiring at the end of June, meaning Bayern doesn't need to deal with Leverkusen unless it wants him to play before then. FIFA's Club World Cup starts June 15. Earlier this month, Wirtz said he was drawn to the idea of a new challenge and to 'leave my comfort zone at some point.' Wirtz helped Leverkusen to its first ever German league title in 2024, when it completed an unprecedented unbeaten Bundesliga campaign and garnished the season with the German Cup title. This season he chipped in 16 goals across all competitions while setting up 16 more for teammates, but Leverkusen was unable to win any meaningful silverware. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid and the club looks set to lose key players with Tah certain to leave, Jeremie Frimpong linked with Liverpool, and Piero Hincapie saying he's open to a move. Liverpool has emerged as the most likely destination for Wirtz with the player reportedly keen on the switch. Manchester City has dropped out of the race because of the high price tag, the BBC reported, and Madrid seems to be prioritizing a move for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. But Wirtz could also potentially stay at Leverkusen another season with the club reportedly demanding a transfer fee of around 130-150 million euros ($148-171 million) for the player. ___ AP soccer: Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press
Washington Post
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Leverkusen star Wirtz turns down Bayern in favor of Liverpool switch
BERLIN — Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has seemingly turned down Bayern Munich in favor of a switch to Premier League champion Liverpool. The 22-year-old Wirtz, who has a contract with Leverkusen to 2027, was a summer target for Bayern with club powerbroker Uli Hoeneß openly calling for the Germany playmaker's signing.
