Agent associated with Liverpool big-money signing hopes to see him at Real Madrid | OneFootball

In a revealing interview on the Phrasenmaher podcast (h/t AS), Volker Struth, best known as the long-time agent of Toni Kroos and the man who manages the marketing side of Wirtz’s career, disclosed that he actively tried to steer the German star towards Real Madrid before his blockbuster move to Liverpool in the summer of 2025.

It must be noted that Liverpool paid €125 million to secure Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, ending any possibility of the attacking midfielder following his former coach Xabi Alonso to Madrid.

Struth admitted that although he is not Wirtz’s primary football agent, he attempted to influence the situation behind the scenes.

“I wasn’t sufficiently involved in the proposals that were on the table. My greatest wish would have been to see Florian at Real Madrid, and I don’t think I’m the only one. 

“Also, because of my history with Toni and my relationship with the Real Madrid officials. I think he would have been very good there,” he said.

Contacts with Xabi Alonso

The story becomes even more interesting when Struth revealed he personally contacted former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso during the decision process. 

At the time, the battle was reportedly between Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

“At the stage when it was between Bayern and Liverpool, when the transfer was being discussed, I was in contact with his parents, and I called Xabi and said, ‘Listen, take the boy. Try to talk to Florentino.’”

According to Struth, Alonso’s response was direct. “You have to talk to him yourself.”

Florian Wirtz was offered to Real Madrid. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

That prompted Struth to message Real Madrid president Florentino Perez personally.

“Hi Florentino, how are you? I’ve told you several times that I have an interesting player here that I’d like to recommend to you,” Struth said he wrote.

Perez’s reply was polite but did not lead to negotiations.

“Thank you, dear Volker. You know that your advice is always very important to me. Have you discussed this with Jose?”

The “José” in question was CEO Josw Angel Sanchez. However, Struth later discovered through other channels that signing Wirtz “was not an issue” for Madrid at that time.

“Xabi would have liked to sign him, but sometimes you’re not in the right place at the right time. 

“That year, he didn’t fit into the squad, the budget, or everything that goes with it. At Real Madrid, the coffers aren’t always full either. But I’m clear about one thing: Florian Wirtz improves any team,” Struth said.