Bayer Leverkusen CEO Hints at Wirtz’s Possible Move to Real Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen’s chief executive, Fernando Carro, has suggested that Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz might have chosen to play for Real Madrid if the opportunity had presented itself.

Wirtz’s Recent Game Performance

Wirtz entered the match as a substitute in the 77th minute during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield. Despite this, he failed to contribute to the scoreline under the management of Arne Slot.

Transfer and Adaptation Issues

The talented German midfielder joined Liverpool this summer for an impressive fee of £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen. Slot was able to secure Wirtz’s signature despite competition from top clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. However, Wirtz has faced challenges settling into the Premier League.

Insights from Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO

Fernando Carro has expressed thoughts on Wirtz’s decision-making regarding his transfer, indicating that if former coach Xabi Alonso had extended an invitation, the outcome might have differed.

• “The Wirtz family and Florian understood that renewing his contract was our main focus. We approached summer transfers with caution on salaries but would have made a special exception for him.”
• “At one point, it seemed like we could reach an agreement. Ultimately, Florian chose his path, with his parents as his advisors, aligned with his desires.”

“If Xabi had made an offer, he would have definitely considered a move to Madrid. However, Alonso holds less influence there compared to our club. One of Xabi’s greatest talents was collaborating with our scouting team to identify key players. Ultimately, it’s Florentino Perez who decides on transfers, not Xabi Alonso.”

Upcoming Champions League Clash

Interestingly, Liverpool is set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League this week, where Wirtz will encounter Alonso, complementing the match with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield—an encounter that promises to be one of the standout moments of the season.