Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool in a record-breaking £116 million transfer last summer, eclipsing previous benchmarks before Newcastle later topped it with £125 million for Alexander Isak. The German star, aged 22, anchors Liverpool’s future plans.
Push for Real Madrid Reunion with Xabi Alonso
Volker Struth, Wirtz’s agent, sought to arrange a move to Real Madrid for a reunion with former Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso. Struth contacted Alonso during discussions of potential transfers to Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
Struth recounted: “I called Xabi Alonso and told him: ‘You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real.'”
Alonso responded: “You don’t have to tell me that, you have to tell Florentino Perez.”
Following this, Struth messaged Real Madrid president Florentino Perez: “Dear Florentino, I’ve told you many times before: I have a player here whom I would highly recommend. Florian Wirtz makes every team in the world better.”
Real Madrid’s Response and Signings
Perez thanked Struth and directed him to general manager Jose Angel Sanchez. However, Real Madrid prioritized other targets amid budget constraints and squad needs, signing Dean Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono, Alvaro Carreras, and Trent Alexander-Arnold instead.
Struth noted: “That year, it simply wasn’t the right time due to the squad and the budget. Even Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always overflowing. But my wish remains that Florian will play there one day.”
Implications for Liverpool Fans
Real Madrid’s ongoing interest raises concerns for Liverpool supporters, especially as Wirtz settles in after an initial adjustment period at Anfield. Fans recall Trent Alexander-Arnold’s £20 million departure to Real Madrid last June after his contract expired.
Reports suggested Wirtz’s parents influenced negotiations, but Liverpool denied any £8.6 million fee to Hans and Karin Wirtz.
