Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has no doubt that Florian Wirtz will "certainly" join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool in the summer of 2025 if he has the opportunity to follow Xabi Alonso to Santiago Bernabeu.
"But Xabi Alonso has less say in Madrid than when he was with us. One of Alonso's strongest points is his ability to work with the scouting department to determine the players needed in the squad. But in Madrid, the one who decides the transfers is Florentino Perez, not Xabi Alonso," Carro said.
Therefore, Wirtz only has three real options: Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. After careful consideration, he decided to choose Anfield.
However, ahead of the Premier League clash with Man City this weekend, a big question has arisen: did Wirtz make a mistake in choosing Liverpool? And is the Etihad a better place for him?
Wirtz has started Liverpool's first four Premier League games of the 2025-2026 campaign, playing in the familiar attacking midfield role. However, he did not score any goals in that winning streak. This has made him the focus of criticism from fans and was harshly criticized by the media for the huge transfer fee Liverpool have paid.
As the Kop's form began to decline, Wirtz became a victim, although in fact his difficulties in adapting to the speed and intensity of the Premier League were not much related to the team's poor defense in set pieces.
Many sources confirmed that Pep Guardiola has considered Wirtz an ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract with Man City expires at the end of the 2024-2025 season. And the reason is very understandable.
Wirtz possesses a rare combination of diligence, creativity and smart tactical thinking, completely in line with the "comprehensive 10" model that Guardiola always seeks.
So why didn't the German play at the Etihad?
That depends on the point of view of each source. Some believe that Man City rates the £100 million price that Bayer Leverkusen requires as too high. Meanwhile, others have confirmed that Wirtz has withdrawn from the deal, as Guardiola cannot guarantee that he will continue to be with Man City after 2027.
If it were Wirtz who rejected Man City, perhaps now he is starting to feel regretful. Because at the Etihad, he will almost certainly be given the opportunity to start immediately in the 4-1-4-1 formation that Guardiola likes.
Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki - who was recruited by City right before the FIFA Club World Cup - is starting his Premier League career much more effectively. Despite being out for more than a month with a thigh injury, Cherki has made 8 assists since joining the blue team.
Ironically, Liverpool once considered Cherki as a "B option" if Wirtz's deal failed. And at the moment, the £30 million fee that The Citizens have paid Cherki is showing much better value than the blockbuster contract from Leverkusen.
