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Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has escalated into a high-stakes transfer showdown, with Bayern Munich’s previously unshakable confidence in securing the German international now giving way to palpable unease.

Just weeks ago, Bayern executives publicly framed Wirtz’s arrival as inevitable, with honorary president Uli Hoeneß declaring the 22-year-old “exactly the player we want” in January.

That certainty has fractured following Liverpool’s behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

Reports from Bundesliga insider Christian Falk revealed that Bayern now admit “a bit of fear” about the Premier League champions’ capacity to meet Leverkusen’s €150m (£126m) valuation – a figure the Bavarians deem prohibitive.

This marks a stark reversal from when Bayern believed their longstanding relationship with the Wirtz family guaranteed first refusal.

There was also a meeting with Wirtz and his representatives in England last weekend, initially misattributed to Manchester City.

During discussions, club officials reportedly positioned the German as the “centerpiece” of Arne Slot’s evolving project, emphasizing Anfield’s global infrastructure and competitive trajectory.

It was said that Wirtz was suitably impressed at the project put forth by the Anfield chiefs.

There were even reports from key figures from Michael Edwards’ recruitment team travelling to Boston for talks with FSG ownership to secure funding.

Now Christian Falk has provided another update, going as far as to claim that Wirtz has been “house hunting” in the city of Liverpool:

“We heard that Florian was already househunting in Liverpool,” Falk wrote on his website

The family is playing this transfer game quite openly; they’re telling Bayern what they’re doing with Liverpool, and they’re telling Liverpool what they’re doing with Bayern Munich.

“That’s perhaps why the BBC had the information about a meeting between Florian Wirtz and Bayern in Munich.”

He then explained that Bayern Munich will hold a meeting very soon with the player’s entourage to try and stop Liverpool interference:

“This is what will happen soon with Bayern – the club will hold a meeting at the Tegernsee.

“Uli Hoeneß has a house here.

They’re hoping to gain some ground with the father (and agent), Hans-Joachim, who is nearly the same age as Hoeneß.”

“His generation certainly admires Hoeneß, so this is a big chance for Bayern.

They want to stop the efforts of Liverpool and complete the deal.”

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