Florian Wirtz’s journey from precocious teenager to Bayer Leverkusen immortal has been removed from plain-sailing.
A devastating ACL tear suffered in March 2022 threw the idea of linear improvement out of the window. Having made such a promising begin to his senior profession, Wirtz must reset upon his return.
The German’s comeback was full lower than a yr later, and whereas there was no room for linear development, Wirtz has since loved an exponential growth. Little did everyone know that once they have been tuning into some lockdown Bundesliga soccer in Could 2020, the 17-year-old child who wasn’t Kai Havertz (the Arsenal star scored a brace on Wirtz’s debut) would encourage Die Werkself to their maiden league title lower than 4 years later.
Wirtz’s exceptional resurgence within the wake of a doubtlessly career-hindering harm was timed completely with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, and the Leverkusen duo will sit among the many most in-demand participant/coach prospects within the sport whereas they continue to be on the BayArena.
Alonso has dedicated his future to the German membership for a minimum of one other yr, and Leverkusen will hope their talismanic on-pitch genius stays, too. Europe’s elite are circling, however solely a monster provide will draw the membership to the negotiating desk.
Whereas a departure at present appears unlikely, this is how 90min ranks Wirtz’s potential summer time locations.
Barcelona are mentioned to be part of the reported Wirtz sweepstake, however they are going to should do a complete lot greater than mere lever pulling to finance a transfer.
A 2023/24 marketing campaign of woe has thrust the membership right into a rethink, however Xavi might properly find yourself remaining in cost regardless of saying his determination to step down following the season’s conclusion.
Barca are reportedly attempting to get gamers off their books, together with Frenkie de Jong, however even when they’re profitable, a transfer for Wirtz is off the desk given Leverkusen’s calls for.
Probability score: 1/10
Manchester United are coming into a brand new daybreak with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the helm. A summer time of change is predicted at Outdated Trafford, with savvier recruitment on the forefront of Ratcliffe’s revolution.
Signing Wirtz can be a press release addition and a half for the brand new possession group to make.
And whereas United would seemingly be capable to finance a transfer for the German sensation, Wirtz is not going to modify Champions League-bound Leverkusen for a membership that will not be competing in Europe’s premier membership competitors subsequent season.
Probability score: 3/10
Florentino Perez is coming into his second Galactico period.
Whereas the primary proved a business triumph, Actual Madrid’s outlandish taking part in expertise didn’t deliver house constant silverware.
After signing Jude Bellingham final summer time, Kylian Mbappe is about to hitch the membership this summer time and forge a damaging relationship with Vinicius Junior in Madrid’s frontline.
Discovering room for Wirtz is tough given Bellingham’s kind, Federico Valverde’s rise, and Toni Kroos’ perpetual majesty, so it is onerous to envisage Madrid shifting for the German regardless of his expertise.
Whereas Madrid are a monetary behemoth and you’ll by no means write Perez off for making such a transfer, it would not make a lot sense to usher in a participant of Wirtz’s profile this summer time.
Probability score: 5/10
Is Arne Slot going to tackle the unattainable process of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool? It positive appears that means.
Slot is a 4-2-3-1 lover and Liverpool are at present with out an out-and-out quantity ten. Dominik Szoboszlai is maybe probably the most suited to the perform, however Wirtz would deliver craft and guile which the Hungarian lacks.
The Reds did a superb job of rebuilding their midfield final summer time, with Klopp’s new-look engine room taking part in a key function of their title cost. Would they go huge in the midst of the park once more this summer time?
Wirtz is doubtlessly a profile Michael Edwards and co should admire, however this may’ve been more likely had Xabi Alonso taken on the managerial function at Anfield.
Probability score: 6/10
Mikel Arteta has hinted at a busy summer time switch window, with Arsenal boasting a number of disposable property which may fetch them some money.
Arteta harbours nice ambition and the membership are anticipated to make a few main strikes forward of the 2024/25 marketing campaign. The addition of two forwards – a striker and a winger – appears to be their precedence, however Arsenal will even rejuvenate their midfield depth chart.
Wirtz, a masterful between-the-lines playmaker with a penchant for aim, may carry out a free-eight function in Arteta’s system, marauding in tandem with Martin Odegaard both aspect of Arsenal’s new quantity 9.
Maybe Kai Havertz may have a phrase?
Probability score: 7/10
Uh oh.
You recognize what normally occurs when Bayern Munich begin sniffing across the Bundesliga’s most interesting expertise…
Bayern might have relinquished their crown for the primary time in over a decade, however they continue to be Germany’s prime canine by an enormous distance. Studies counsel that Wirtz’s signing could possibly be the membership’s precedence this summer time, with Bayern doubtlessly overseeing a reasonably drastic reshuffling of their playmakers.
Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman each face unsure futures, whereas Thomas Muller does not plan on taking part in past 2025. Bayern have already got one of many world’s finest in Jamal Musiala, and it would be borderline unfair to have Wirtz working in tandem with the tight-spaces maestro.
How they’d function as a pair can be as much as the brand new supervisor to resolve, however there is no doubt that Wirtz is on Bayern’s radar. How may he not be?
Probability score: 8/10
Wirtz is more than pleased to stay on the Bay Enviornment this summer time, and Leverkusen’s hefty valuation renders it robust for any membership, irrespective of how determined, to strike a deal this summer time.
Nevertheless, if there’s one membership able to pulling this deal off, it is Manchester Metropolis.
Metropolis are out there for a participant of Wirtz’s ilk, with West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta additionally of curiosity. The Cityzens should plan for all times with out Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, and Wirtz, along with Paqueta, can be super succession planning.
The German is a half-space machine, usually working from the left inside channel the place his dribbling prowess and mixture play come to the fore. He excels within the closing third; boasting the requisite subtlety to unpick a deep-lying defence, in addition to the athleticism to pose a risk in transition.
Success below Xavi Alonso stands Wirtz in good stead for a possible collaboration with Pep Guardiola.
Probability score: 9/10
