Didi Hamann, the ex-Liverpool midfielder, has indicated that Florian Wirtz might leave the club as he faces ongoing challenges.
The reigning Premier League champions managed to fend off interest from clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester City to acquire Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, with the transfer costing approximately £116 million this summer.
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However, the German player has struggled to produce goals and assists that would justify the significant investment, leaving many supporters puzzled over why such a substantial portion of the transfer budget was allocated to the young talent.
Wirtz might excel at Madrid
Wirtz previously flourished under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, and now that Alonso is at the helm of Real Madrid, speculation has arisen about a potential transfer for the 22-year-old.
In an interview with ESportsBets.com, Hamann expressed his views on the situation, suggesting that while he believes Wirtz will ultimately succeed at Liverpool, a move could be on the horizon.
“Historically, top players didn’t go on loan. Loans were typically for those not getting playing time, but that has changed. It likely began with Philippe Coutinho’s high-profile move to Barcelona, only to be loaned to Bayern Munich a year later,” he reflected.
“I wouldn’t dismiss anything in today’s football landscape. Reports suggest Xabi Alonso is monitoring Wirtz’s performances at Liverpool, which seems plausible given his admiration for him.”
“Alonso played a significant role in their success, being the backbone along with Granit Xhaka at Leverkusen. Wirtz is too talented to fail, but after around ten games, it’s clear any outcome remains possible.”
Was moving to Bayern a better option for Wirtz?
Wirtz has recorded no goal involvements in nine Premier League matches, leading to discussions about his fit for the highly competitive English football scene compared to the Bundesliga. Hamann also mentioned thoughts on whether Wirtz would have thrived at Bayern Munich.
“Wirtz could have succeeded at Bayern, though I commend his decision to avoid the easy path. He might have enjoyed winning the league and contributed in the Champions League,” he stated.
“Had he selected Bayern, it could have improved their Champions League prospects, notwithstanding their current success. He’s a resilient player, and as I said, one or two good games can change everything. I’m still hopeful.”