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Bayern Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz is at the centre of the summer's first transfer saga - and his Rangers experience could give a clue to his ultimate destination.

Liverpool have made clear their admiration to the 22-year-old's camp and reports in Germany suggest that an "astronomical" offer is on the table from the Premier League giants.

However, Bayern Munich have also made the versatile attacker their key target for the summer after regaining the Bundesliga title last term.

But Arne Slot's side may be on the back foot in the signing race - with Wirtz previously bemoaning the British weather during a visit to Ibrox.

During a mid-season friendly back in December 2022, the prospect made his return from injury for Leverkusen against Michael Beale's Gers side.

And an irked Wirtz vented his frustrations of the cold conditions that meant his "lungs were sore".

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Speaking after the 3-0 defeat, he said "I'm exhausted and I am not in a good mood because it was a very disappointing game for us.

"I'm just not used to playing in a match like that because I've been out for nine months.

"And because it was so cold in Glasgow, my lungs are actually sore and it was hurting to breathe.

It's just the cold that hurts me.

"It was good for me to be back on the pitch and I must continue to work hard.

As the game went on, I realised how important it was for me to be back on the pitch."

While Merseyside may boast warmer temperatures than Glasgow, it could offer an early indicator that the German international would prefer to remain in his homeland this summer.

Kicker report that the rising talent will "likely make a decision within ten days at the latest" over his next destination.

That has sparked criticism from some in Germany with Bayern legend Stefan Effenberg stating in his weekly t-online column that the wait was "undignified".

He also urged him to make a move to either Manchester City or Real Madrid - who are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Effenberg wrote: "The future of Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz is still unclear.

Florian Wirtz at Ibrox

"After he already seemed to be on his way to FC Bayern, Manchester City is now reportedly also in the race for the national player, and Real Madrid is still considered a potential target.

"I say: A move to City or to the 'Royals' (Madrid) would perhaps be even more beneficial to his career.

"Because both clubs have now had a disappointing season by their standards and want to attack fully again next year, especially in the Champions League - probably with many expensive reinforcements.

"And that, after all, is the one title that Wirtz is still missing.

He has already won everything in Germany.

"However, I think it's a shame that there has still been no official statement from the Wirtz side about the direction in which things could go.

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"So all sides - clubs, fans, the public - remain in the dark for far too long.

This is tiring and not appropriate to the situation

"If Wirtz, who is supposed to have tended towards Bayern, now suddenly changes his mind again, that would also be a very bad sign.

"This undignified fiddling around doesn't help anyone, especially not himself.
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