Florian Wirtz has more photos of himself in a Liverpool shirt posted on the club’s Instagram profile before the first kick has been taken, than more Liverpool players experience in an entire season. There is little doubt that Liverpool have huge expectations for the now 22-year-old “wonderkid”, at the same time no time is wasted building up the supporter shirt sales of No. 17. Coincidence that Wirtz ended up at Liverpool? Nope. Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director tells the story of the last months of negotiations.
Already in February, the Leverkusen management knew their biggest star wanted to move on to the next club. In an interview with Bild, sporting director Rolfes talks about the process that ended at Anfield.
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-Florian’s requirement was that everyone should be comfortable with the transition. He told us, literally, that he hoped Bayer Leverkusen would also be happy with the result. It wasn’t a single moment (where we realized he wanted to leave), but rather an evolution. Our goal was to extend Florian’s contract and keep him for at least one more year. Gradually, we felt that he was more interested in making a trade. From February and March, discussions focused more on other clubs and other leagues. We always knew what he was thinking. We knew from the parents they talked to. The clubs from abroad (including Liverpool and Manchester City) also informed us, and they handled the matter in a very professional and serious manner, the sporting director begins to the German medium.
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-In May, he told us that he had decided to join Liverpool FC. I think he fits in very well at Liverpool. The club has taken him very seriously. Florian was understood that they know exactly why they want him. This approach was a very important aspect of the overall package for him. All the clubs that had contacted us in advance were clear about which region the transfer would take place in. We first negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us it was his preferred club. It was clear to me from the start of the negotiations that it would work out. Of course, everyone fights for their position, but it was always respectful. The people at both clubs know each other so well that a face-to-face meeting was not necessary. We handled the transaction by phone, by email and via video conference,” says Rolfes. Which, in addition to a neat process and without “bad blood”, could secure the club sales revenue of 137 million euros for the former academy player.
So, no doubt that Florian Wirtz is wearing the right shirt.
