A major transfer revelation involving Florian Wirtz has surfaced just hours before Liverpool face Real Madrid.
Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League fixture at Anfield sees Premier League champions Liverpool welcome La Liga heavyweights Madrid.
All eyes are on Trent Alexander-Arnold, returning to his former home after his summer move to Los Blancos. The 27-year-old is likely to face a hostile reception from Liverpool fans still unhappy with how he left. Following his departure, Liverpool invested heavily, bringing in players including Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in what was then a club-record deal reportedly worth £116 million—a record later surpassed when Isak arrived from Newcastle United for £125 million.
Despite high expectations, Wirtz has struggled to settle in English football, managing just three assists and no goals in 14 appearances across all competitions. Amid his slow adaptation, speculation has emerged linking him with a potential exit from Anfield. Spanish outlet Defensa Central reports that Real Madrid are monitoring the German midfielder, with manager Xabi Alonso said to have urged the club to “pay close attention” to Wirtz’s future.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro revealed that Wirtz would have joined Madrid over Liverpool if an approach had been made during the summer transfer window. Speaking on SPORT1’s Dopplepass, Carro said:
“[Wirtz] wants to win the Champions League. While we won the Bundesliga, achieving the same with Bayer Leverkusen is far more difficult. He would have joined Madrid if Xabi Alonso had made the offer, but Xabi has less influence there than with us.”
Instead of targeting Alonso’s former players, Madrid signed Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono.
Ahead of the clash with Liverpool, Alonso expressed confidence that Wirtz will eventually thrive at Anfield:
“I have no doubts. It’s just a matter of time. Moving to Liverpool is a big change after spending all his life in Germany, including several years at Leverkusen. He needs to adapt, but he’s a special player—talented, competitive, and with personality. The Premier League has seen players take time to settle, and I have no doubts Flo will do the same.”
Alonso added: “He’s very special, and probably one reason I’m here now is because of Flo, so I’m grateful to him. Hopefully not tomorrow, but he will show his quality and class.”
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