Former Chelsea player Michael Ballack has disclosed that Florian Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool this summer was motivated by the diminishing competitiveness in the Bundesliga.
Wirtz made headlines with his move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, a decision that followed speculation about a potential transfer to the German champions.
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Bayern’s Struggles
The German international joined Liverpool for a fee of £116M in June and has quickly won over fans, even without registering many goals. Despite Bayern Munich’s interest, he opted for a career in the Premier League instead.
In an interview with Bild, Ballack addressed Bayern’s failure to acquire both Wirtz and striker Nick Woltemade, attributing it to the gradual decline of the Bundesliga’s appeal.
“Certainly, English teams are willing to spend extravagant sums,” Ballack shared. “Bayern was ready to offer a package close to €100M for Wirtz.”
“Regarding Woltemade, it’s a unique situation. Bayern operates with a financial plan that prioritizes long-term stability over debt, which is commendable.”
“Thus, I can see why Bayern chose not to exceed the €55 million mark for Woltemade, as they didn’t view him as worth more.”
A transfer to Bayern seemed logical to many, given the club’s track record of securing titles and competing in domestic tournaments.
Decreasing Appeal of Bundesliga
Nevertheless, Ballack suggests that such opportunities are losing charm for elite talents like Wirtz, who can earn significantly more in the Premier League and vie for prestigious honors.
“My main concern is different. Using Wirtz again: Is it beneficial for him and his growth to remain in the Bundesliga with Bayern for another few years?”
“Winning championships is certainly a perk. However, does the Bundesliga present an adequate challenge at the top level for him?”
“No, the Bundesliga has fallen behind the Premier League for years now.”
“That’s the truth. This shift is why it’s becoming less appealing for the very best players, which indicates that changes are essential.”
