Bayer Leverkusen chief confirms club had different plans for Florian Wirtz in summer

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Bayer Leverkusen chief Fernando Carro has recently revealed that the club had alternative plans for star midfielder Florian Wirtz during last summer’s transfer window, before his eventual move to Liverpool. According to Carro, Leverkusen was determined to keep Wirtz at the club and was prepared to make him a substantial contract offer—one that would have set a new benchmark for player salaries at the BayArena. The club’s hierarchy recognized Wirtz’s unique talent and potential, and they were ready to break their usual wage structure to retain him, despite being known for financial caution with new signings.

Despite these efforts, Carro acknowledged that Leverkusen could ultimately not compete with the financial power of Europe’s elite clubs, specifically referencing Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The Leverkusen CEO pointed out that, in the end, the decision rested entirely with Wirtz himself, whose ambition to compete at the highest level—including a desire to win the UEFA Champions League—played a pivotal role in his departure. While Leverkusen had recently achieved domestic success, Wirtz reportedly believed that challenging for Europe’s top club competition would be more difficult with his former club.

Carro’s comments confirm that there had been serious discussions about Wirtz extending his contract, potentially with a release clause, but the player’s personal aspirations led him to seek a move elsewhere. The article also mentions that Wirtz’s family fully respected his choice, and the player, at just 22, was said to be the sole decision-maker in the process, without heavy reliance on external advisors. Since joining Liverpool, Wirtz has experienced a period of adaptation, showing glimpses of his quality but not yet fully exploding in the Premier League—a situation that both Xabi Alonso and Liverpool’s staff expect will change as he acclimates to his new surroundings[1][4].