Real Madrid appeal over Florian Wirtz transfer revealed after Liverpool £116m deal

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCAn agent linked with Florian Wirtz has explained how he urged Real Madrid to sign the player ahead of his £116m Liverpool transferAn agent linked with Florian Wirtz has admitted attempting to persuade Real Madrid to sign the attacking midfielder before his eventual move to Liverpool.The Reds pulled off a major coup when Wirtz resisted offers from Bayern Munich and Manchester City to instead make a £116million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield during the summer.After a difficult start to his Liverpool career, the 22-year-old has become a key player for Arne Slot's side with six goals and five assists since the start of December.Real Madrid were linked with an interest in reuniting Wirtz with his former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who began a brief period in charge at the Bernabeu during the close season.READ MORE: Liverpool's Champions League path becomes clearer as possible opponent confirmedREAD MORE: Florian Wirtz's wordless message sees Liverpool playmaker drop selection hint after injuryAnd German agent Volker Struth has explained how he personally contacted Real president Florentino Perez on behalf of Alonso to suggest a major push to sign Wirtz.“During the period when a move to Liverpool or Bayern was being discussed, I called Xabi Alonso and told him: ‘You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real'," he said."Xabi replied: ‘You don’t have to tell me that, you have to tell Florentino Perez’. So I actually sent him a message: ‘Dear Florentino, I’ve told you many times before: I have a player here whom I would highly recommend'."Real were better in the past than they are now.

And it's quite clear: Florian Wirtz makes every team in the world better'."Ultimately the offer didn't materialise with Liverpool, City and Bayern the only clubs to make a formal approach for Wirtz.It's understood Struth's agency Sports360 looks after Wirtz's marketing matters, although the player is represented regards football matters by his father Hans-Joachim.Struth has a strong relationship with Real Madrid having represented Toni Kroos throughout the Germany World Cup winner's time at the Bernabeu.And, speaking on the Phrasenmaher podcast, he said of Wirtz: “That year, it simply wasn’t the right time due to the squad and the budget. Even Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always overflowing."I wasn't deeply enough involved in the offers that were on the table.

My greatest wish, of course, would have been to have Florian at Real Madrid to see – and I don't think I'm alone in that."Also because of my history with Toni, because of my relationship with those in charge at Real Madrid, I also think he would be in very good hands there."He's doing quite well in Liverpool now, he's a very young player and who knows what might happen in his career."Wirtz missed Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest after complaining of a back problem during the warm-up, although Liverpool are confident the player will be available for Saturday's home clash against West Ham United.Liverpool FCLiverpool FC transfer newsFlorian Wirtz