Bayern Munich have moved to shut down talk of a reunion with Florian Wirtz, with supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge telling German media the club see no reason to spend heavily on a position that is already stacked.
Rummenigge pointed to Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry and Ismael Saibari as the players already competing in Wirtz’s role.
“There’s no need to buy a fourth player for the amount of money Wirtz would probably cost,” he said.
Asked whether the door might reopen later, he was non-committal.
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“Whether something else could still be possible at some point? I don’t know.”
Rummenigge surprised by Wirtz slump
Wirtz joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2025 in a deal worth up to £116m, £100m guaranteed plus £16m in add-ons, and has delivered 7 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions.
Rummenigge, who had been in direct contact with Wirtz’s parents before the player chose Liverpool, admitted the numbers had caught him out.
“Honestly, yes (I am surprised),” he told reporters.
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He also revealed the role former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot had played in winning the race.
“We were given the impression that he was going to Liverpool because the manager at the time, Arne Slot, had promised him the No. 10 position, which he had also played at Leverkusen. That was an important factor in his decision to choose Liverpool. Financially, there were no dramatic differences.”
On the family talks, Rummenigge was matter-of-fact.
“Uli and I were in contact with his father and mother for a while. Then they decided differently, and we respected that.”
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Insiders say Wirtz is going nowhere
Public talk of a January or 2027 escape route has been constant, but sources close to the player insist there is no desire to walk away from Anfield.
Transfer-focused X account Space | TM reported on the player’s state of mind.
“Florian Wirtz has no desire to return to Germany and, in particular, no interest in joining self-proclaimed giants Bayern Munich.”
The same report describes Liverpool as the club Wirtz “dreamed of long before he ever wore the shirt” and adds that he “remains determined to earn it.”
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German reporter Christian Falk struck a similar note on the player’s trajectory.
“At Liverpool, he may not yet be performing like he was with Bayer Leverkusen, but I think he’s improving. It takes time with a new team.”
Not everyone is as patient. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has openly questioned how long Liverpool can wait.
“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. But it isn’t working; it just isn’t working.”
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Scout Mick Brown put it more bluntly.
“I have to say, I’m surprised more hasn’t been made of the fact Liverpool paid £116million for a player who has had very little if any impact.”
Iraola standing by his man
Liverpool, under head coach Andoni Iraola, are not entertaining offers. The Spaniard, who replaced Slot in the summer, is said to rate Wirtz highly and to be satisfied with the midfielder’s effort levels, even if the raw numbers have yet to catch up.
