Real Madrid ‘pushing’ to hijack Liverpool’s move to sign Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Liverpool in Pole Position for Wirtz But Real Madrid Refuse to Concede

Momentum with Liverpool Amid Wirtz Chase

Liverpool’s sudden emergence as frontrunners for Florian Wirtz may well represent the most decisive move of this summer’s transfer window. According to AS, the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker is leaning towards Anfield, with Bayern president Herbert Hainer acknowledging, “Max Eberl [sporting director] informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool.”

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While those words were received in Madrid like a cold downpour in May, they have not yet extinguished Real’s hope. As AS notes, “there is still a match” to be played in this high-stakes pursuit. And in Madrid’s estimation, Wirtz is not yet lost.

Xabi Alonso’s Influence on Madrid’s Hopes

Madrid’s hope may rest less on bank accounts and more on relationships. Wirtz’s bond with Xabi Alonso, forged during difficult times including a long ACL recovery, has become central to this story. Xabi is not just the man who revived Leverkusen’s ambitions — he also oversaw Wirtz’s best season to date: 18 goals and 19 assists in 49 appearances. It was a campaign that catapulted the 21-year-old to 12th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

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That shared history adds emotional texture to Real Madrid’s otherwise cold, strategic pursuit. If Xabi Alonso has any say, as many believe he eventually will in Madrid’s managerial succession, Wirtz might be persuaded to delay his Premier League ambitions.

Financial Muscle Versus Strategic Patience

Fernando Carro, Leverkusen’s CEO, openly suggested in April that Wirtz’s price tag starts at €150 million. Manchester City, once very much in the running, reportedly pulled out when associated costs pushed the operation towards €300 million. That exit left a gap which Liverpool have exploited.

And yet Madrid, as AS reports, “have not given up.” They prefer patience, narrative and personal influence over blunt financial aggression. Liverpool, flush with Champions League football and a revived project under Arne Slot, offer immediacy. Madrid counter with legacy.

Market Defining Deal of the Summer

There is a reason this deal is being talked about as the defining move of the transfer window. Wirtz is not just another flashy talent — he is the prototype of the modern attacking midfielder: technically elegant, press-resistant, versatile and relentlessly productive. In Liverpool’s system, he would inherit creative responsibility; at Madrid, he could shape the next generation of Galácticos.

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But as it stands, it is Liverpool who have taken the lead, not with noise, but with quiet precision. They were not even considered contenders a month ago. Now they are on the verge of winning the race.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Liverpool fans, the idea of signing Florian Wirtz should excite and alarm in equal measure. Excite, because Wirtz is the type of player who can define an era. His numbers speak volumes, his maturity is years beyond his age, and his ceiling is absurdly high. A creative fulcrum who scores and assists in equal measure? That’s exactly what Liverpool have lacked since Coutinho departed.

But there is also reason to be cautious. €150 million is an extraordinary outlay, and while Wirtz looks worth it, the club’s previous record in major European purchases — Naby Keita and Darwin Núñez come to mind — is patchy. With FSG still watching the books, fans will question whether one marquee name justifies ignoring other areas needing investment.

Then there’s Madrid. Until he signs, Wirtz is not a Liverpool player. Real have a way of circling, waiting, then striking. The allure of La Liga, the Bernabéu, and perhaps a reunion with Xabi Alonso may yet prove decisive.

So yes, optimism is justified. But in true Liverpool fashion, nothing is done until it’s done — and fans know all too well what late drama feels like.