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 growth 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 progress, Wirtz has since loved an exponential increase. Little did all people know that once they had 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 probably 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 no less than one other yr, and Leverkusen will hope their talismanic on-pitch genius stays, too. Europe’s elite are circling, however solely a monster supply will draw the membership to the negotiating desk.
Whereas a departure presently appears unlikely, this is how 90min ranks Wirtz’s potential summer season locations.
Barcelona are mentioned to be part of the reported Wirtz sweepstake, however they’ll must do an entire 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 could effectively find yourself remaining in cost regardless of asserting his choice to step down following the season’s conclusion.
Barca are reportedly making an attempt 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 getting into a brand new daybreak with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the helm. A summer season of change is predicted at Previous Trafford, with savvier recruitment on the forefront of Ratcliffe’s revolution.
Signing Wirtz could 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 getting into his second Galactico period.
Whereas the primary proved a business triumph, Actual Madrid’s outlandish taking part in expertise didn’t carry house constant silverware.
After signing Jude Bellingham final summer season, Kylian Mbappe is ready to affix the membership this summer season and forge a damaging relationship with Vinicius Junior in Madrid’s frontline.
Discovering room for Wirtz is difficult given Bellingham’s kind, Federico Valverde’s rise, and Toni Kroos’ perpetual majesty, so it is arduous 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 season.
Probability score: 5/10
Is Arne Slot going to tackle the inconceivable activity of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool? It certain appears to be like that method.
Slot is a 4-2-3-1 lover and Liverpool are presently with out an out-and-out quantity ten. Dominik Szoboszlai is probably probably the most suited to the perform, however Wirtz would carry craft and guile which the Hungarian lacks.
The Reds did a superb job of rebuilding their midfield final summer season, with Klopp’s new-look engine room taking part in a key position of their title cost. Would they go large in the midst of the park once more this summer season?
Wirtz is doubtlessly a profile Michael Edwards and co should respect, however this may’ve been more likely had Xabi Alonso taken on the managerial position at Anfield.
Probability score: 6/10
Mikel Arteta has hinted at a busy summer season switch window, with Arsenal boasting a number of disposable belongings 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 purpose, may carry out a free-eight position in Arteta’s system, marauding in tandem with Martin Odegaard both facet of Arsenal’s new quantity 9.
Maybe Kai Havertz may have a phrase?
Probability score: 7/10
Uh oh.
what often occurs when Bayern Munich begin sniffing across the Bundesliga’s best expertise…
Bayern could 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. Reviews counsel that Wirtz’s signing may very well be the membership’s precedence this summer season, with Bayern probably overseeing a reasonably drastic reshuffling of their playmakers.
Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman each face unsure futures, whereas Thomas Muller would not plan on taking part in past 2025. Bayern have already got one of many world’s finest in Jamal Musiala, and it might be borderline unfair to have Wirtz working in tandem with the tight-spaces maestro.
How they’d function as a pair could be as much as the brand new supervisor to resolve, however there is not any 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 season, and Leverkusen’s hefty valuation renders it robust for any membership, regardless of how determined, to strike a deal this summer season.
Nonetheless, if there’s one membership able to pulling this deal off, it is Manchester Metropolis.
Metropolis are available in the market 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, could be great succession planning.
The German is a half-space machine, sometimes working from the left inside channel the place his dribbling prowess and mixture play come to the fore. He excels within the last third; boasting the requisite subtlety to unpick a deep-lying defence, in addition to the athleticism to pose a menace in transition.
Success beneath Xavi Alonso stands Wirtz in good stead for a possible collaboration with Pep Guardiola.
Probability score: 9/10
