Premier League champions Liverpool have “concrete interest” in Bayer Leverkusen's much sought after midfielder Florian Wirtz, the sports director of the German club Simon Rolfes confirmed on Monday.
During a press conference that announced former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag, it will take over as a manager after the departure of Xabi Alonso for Real Madrid, Rolfes said that Liverpool was having Wirtz, but there was no deal yet.
“He is our player … no doubt that there is a lot of interest,” said Rolfes. “It is an open subject with Florian, we will see.
“That there is a concrete interest in Liverpool, that is clear, but there is currently nothing to say.”
Liverpool has been associated with a large movement for the 22-year-old, who recently visited Merseyside.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said earlier that he would not let Wirtz leave for less than 150 million euros, so that he would make Liverpool's record recovery and one of the most expensive players of all time.
Bayern Munich was also in the hot chase of the midfielder, but German media reported that Wirtz set his sights on Liverpool.
Sitting next to Rolfes, Ten Hag praised the midfielder, but would not reveal whether he would get the chance to manage him next season.
“He is definitely a great player and I have looked at him with pleasure in recent years and followed his development. I am very happy that he is playing for Leverkusen and I am happy for him and his development.
“You never know until the first September in professional football.”
Wirtz, a hyped junior talent, joined Leverkusen of local rivals Cologne in the summer of 2020.
The midfielder was crucial when Leverkusen broke through to win their first league title in 2023-24, with Wirtz Bundesliga player of the season.