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Borussia Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke has given his verdict on Florian Wirtz's proposed move to Liverpool

Long-standing Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke believes Florian Wirtz's decision to join Liverpool is a blow for the Bundesliga - insisting he would've preferred the forward to join bitter rivals Bayern Munich instead.

The Germany international is set to arrive on Merseyside this week to undergo a medical after the Reds agreed a deal worth a potential £116m with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Reds registered their interest in Wirtz last month, though the initial expectation on Merseyside was that the attacker would remain in the Bundesliga by either staying at Leverkusen or joining Bayern Munich.

However, just days before they were due to lift a second Premier League title in five years against Crystal Palace on May 25, Liverpool were informed that the player's preference was not to stay in his homeland but to move to Anfield.

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Nearly three weeks after that decision was communicated to the powers that be at Anfield, the Premier League champions were able to agree on a club-record deal with Leverkusen.

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But it seems as though Wirtz's decision to swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League hasn't gone down too well in Germany, with Dortmund CEO Watzke describing the transfer as a "real shame" for German football.

In fact, the Dortmund chief, who is set to step down from his role when his contract expires, made the bizarre claim that he would've rather Wirtz joined the club's direct rivals, Bayern, than move to Anfield.

Liverpool fended off Bayern Munich to reach a £116m agreement to sign Florian Wirtz(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Article continues below

Explaining the impact of Wirtz's departure to Kicker, Watzke said: "Especially for the DFL (German Football League), it's a real shame that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga.

"I wouldn't have had a problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern.

That would have been better for the Bundesliga."

Should a deal for Wirtz go through, he will be Liverpool's second signing of the summer from Bayer Leverkusen after full-back Jeremie Frimpong.