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Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has lifted the lid on the club’s transfer negotiations with Liverpool after the Premier League champions signed Florian Wirtz in a club-record deal.

But Liverpool stole a march on both clubs to secure the playmaker’s signature.

After Wirtz made his decision clear, a deal was struck with Leverkusen after three weeks of transfer negotiations.



The clubs from abroad (including Liverpool and Manchester City) also informed us, and they handled the matter in a highly professional and serious manner.

“In May he told us that he had decided to join Liverpool FC.

We only negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us that was his preferred club.

“It was clear to me from the beginning of the negotiations that it would work out.

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Following the sale of Wirtz to Liverpool, Leverkusen broke their own transfer record by signing Jarell Quansah in a deal worth up to £35m from the Reds.

Having seen the German side win a Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2023/24, Rolfes has hinted this is just the beginning as he admitted he is looking to build another team capable of winning the title with the money received from selling Wirtz.

“Florian's path helps us because there are other examples as well,” he explained.

And when we bring in new players, we want to sign those who have the motivation to be successful with us and to reach the very top.

“Our goal is to always be among the top four in the league and to be capable of winning titles.”

Rolfes also aimed a subtle dig at Bayern Munich after they missed out on Wirtz.

Bayern have since made their anger clear publicly at missing out on the midfielder while it had also been suggested they too had annoyed both the player's camp and Leverkusen after previously briefing that a switch to Munich was a sure thing.

After joining Liverpool, Wirtz revealed he had wanted to join one of the top three clubs in the world and believed he had managed to do so by joining the Reds.

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Quizzed about Wirtz’s admission, Rolfes snubbed Bayern Munich when asked which three teams he thought the midfielder meant.

“For me, Real Madrid and Manchester City,” he said.
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