Liverpool's Stance on Florian Wirtz Amid Bayern Munich Rumors

Liverpool have no intention of cashing in on Florian Wirtz or sending him back to Germany any time soon, despite growing noise around a move to Bayern Munich.

The Germany international arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2025 as the centrepiece of a lavish rebuild. Fresh from a Premier League title, Liverpool spent over £400m on new faces, with Wirtz the jewel: a £116m signing from Bayer Leverkusen after driving them to the Bundesliga crown in 2024/25.

The expectation was clear. He wasn’t coming in as a prospect. He was coming in as a difference-maker.

So far, it hasn’t looked that way often enough.

Wirtz has produced flashes – the kind of touches and passing angles that made him one of Europe’s most coveted playmakers – but the overall package has lagged behind the price tag. The tempo of the Premier League, the tactical tweaks, the new role under Andoni Iraola: all of it has left him under scrutiny and under pressure to finally explode.

That pressure has now spilled into the pundit arena. Paul Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, did not sugarcoat his view of the situation.

“I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. I’m a big fan of him, I think he’s a special player,” Merson said. “But it isn’t working; it just isn’t working. I don’t know how long they can wait.”

Those comments landed at the same time as reports in Germany and England suggesting Bayern Munich were circling, sensing an opportunity to pounce if Liverpool’s patience snapped.

Inside Anfield, though, the mood is very different.

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke has poured cold water on talk of a quick exit, insisting Liverpool still see Wirtz as a central part of their plans rather than a mistake to be corrected.

“They’re still relying on him,” O’Rourke told Football Insider. “I don’t think there are any plans on Liverpool’s end to offload Florian Wirtz anytime soon. I don’t think they’re ready to write him off just yet.

“He was very impressive in that Champions League win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month as well. So look, it’s up to Andoni Iraola to find the best position for him in the team and try and get the best out of Florian Wirtz.”

That performance against Atletico is exactly the kind of display Liverpool’s hierarchy point to: evidence that the player who lit up Leverkusen is still there, waiting to be fully unlocked.

Bayern links played down – but not buried

In Germany, the Bayern rumours have been met with similar resistance.

Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk has dismissed claims that the Bundesliga giants are actively tracking Wirtz with a view to a “shock move” in the near term.

Falk told CF Bayern Insider: “It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are tracking Florian Wirtz and could make a shock move for the Liverpool player. My information is that this is not true.

“Of course, there is a big history between FC Bayern and Wirtz. There were two secret meetings before he decided on Liverpool: the first one in Munich and then in Liverpool as well. At the time, Arne Slot persuaded the German international to switch to Merseyside. If there is such a connection, you’re always going to have rumours – even more so when there are concerns over his performance levels in England.

“To be clear, I don’t necessarily share those concerns; I think Wirtz is performing better than he did last year. He has a new position in the team. On the other hand, you have an ongoing topic with Jamal Musiala, where he’s not in his best possible shape at the moment due to his illness following his injury struggles last year.”

The past meetings with Bayern, the tug-of-war before he chose Liverpool, and the ongoing scrutiny of Jamal Musiala’s form have all helped fuel speculation. The ingredients are there for a story, even if the key figures insist there is no concrete move on the table.

The Olise question and the swap-talk intrigue

Where things become more complicated is the name that keeps getting dragged into the conversation: Michael Olise.

Bayern’s new system under Vincent Kompany places Olise at the heart of their attacking structure, mirroring his role for France. With Musiala tied down on a long contract and a deep squad brimming with options, Bayern do not look desperate. They look stocked.

Yet the market never stands still. If Olise does not sign a new deal and pushes for a transfer – or if Real Madrid come calling with serious money – the dominoes could start to wobble.

Falk did not completely dismiss the idea that Wirtz could one day be part of that chain reaction.

“So, you can see where some reports have taken these conditions and claimed that one plus one equals two,” he said. “Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to. However, there is nothing planned.

“Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. Musiala has a long contract and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, FC Bayern have a lot of options. Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”

On the prospect of a swap-style scenario or a move funded by an Olise sale, Falk was clear on one point: if Wirtz ever becomes available, Bayern will look.

“Everyone is hoping the former Crystal Palace star signs a new contract, but if not, and he decides for a transfer, of course Florian Wirtz would be a player who’s interesting for Bayern Munich,” Falk added.

“The German can play on the side or centrally. This would be a very interesting thing, and if you make a swap deal with Liverpool or sell Olise for a lot of money to Real Madrid, you have the money to make an offer for Wirtz.

“So, there are many, many positions which have to be discussed. I wouldn’t say it’s not true that Bayern Munich would have thought of that.”

For now, though, the equation is simple. Liverpool paid a huge fee, they still believe the talent is there, and they are not ready to cut their losses. Bayern, for all the background interest and historic meetings, are not moving.

The next move belongs to Wirtz himself – on the pitch, not in the market.