"Still regret it": Bayern chief rues missing out on Wirtz transfer | OneFootball

The transfer saga surrounding Florian Wirtz was one of the biggest talking points of last summer. While the German international eventually chose a record move to FC Liverpool, a sense of disappointment remains at FC Bayern. Supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now openly admitted that the missed signing still hurts.

The Reds paid 125 million euros to Bayer Leverkusen last summer to secure the services of the 22-year-old. This makes Wirtz one of the most expensive transfers in Bundesliga history.

FC Bayern also courted the playmaker for a long time and intensively – without success. "I have to honestly say that in the case of Florian Wirtz it still hurts, because I believe that the player would have been better off at FC Bayern than at Liverpool," Rummenigge explained in Sport BILD.

Bayern deliberately refrained from bidding war

Photo: IMAGO

According to the 69-year-old, the record champions would have been financially capable of matching the offer from England. However, they consciously decided against it: "FC Bayern is smart enough not to get involved in every kind of financial madness. I have always said: We want sporting success, but please in a serious and financially solid way."

Criticism of Wirtz in England

While Rummenigge mourns the missed deal, many Bayern fans are now relieved. Reason: Wirtz has not yet made an impact in Liverpool. In seven competitive matches for the English champions, he has only managed one assist in the Supercup and no goals. The British sports press has been critical after a short time and speaks of a "false start" for the 22-year-old.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge remains convinced: For FC Bayern, Wirtz would have been "the ideal solution". The Munich team is now hoping that their current squad, despite the missed top transfer, is among the best in Europe – especially when the injured key players return.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.