Real Madrid were linked with Florian Wirtz for some time before he eventually moved to Liverpool last summer. However, Los Blancos have had the opportunity to make a move for the former Bayer Leverkusen player – and may do so in the future.
Wirtz has been on Real Madrid’s radar since bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old in Leverkusen – like almost every top side across the continent, Wirtz was considered a top talent, and their scouts came back impressed with him. However, Los Blancos ended up spending 165 million euros on Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono, prioritizing other positions.
Wirtz’s agent: ‘My biggest wish is for him to play for Real Madrid’
Speaking on the Phrasenmaher podcast, Wirtz’s agent Volker Struth revealed that he is determined for his client to follow in the footsteps of Toni Kroos, one of the players he represents.
“I wasn’t behind any of the offers that were on the table. My biggest wish would have been to see Florian at Real Madrid, and I think I’m not the only one. And because of my history with Toni and my relationship with the management of Real Madrid. I think he would have been very happy there,” Diario AS said.
“He is doing well at Liverpool now, he is a very young player and he knows what will happen in his career.
Xabi Alonso was behind the Wirtz move
There were many reports at the time that then manager Xabi Alonso was keen to take Wirtz to the Bernabeu, although it was not a priority. Struth confirms that Alonso would have given the green light to the move.
“During the phase when things were between Bayern and Liverpool, when the transfer was being discussed, I contacted the parents and called Xabi and said to him, ‘Listen, take the boy. Try to talk to Florentino.’ The answer was clear: ‘You have to talk to him’. Struth then sent the following message to the president of Real Madrid: ‘Dear Florentino, how are you? I have told you several times that I have an interesting player here that I would like to recommend to you.’
“Xabi would have liked to bring him in, but sometimes you’re not in the right place at the right time. That year he didn’t fit the squad, the budget, and everything involved. Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always full either. But I’m sure of one thing: Florian Wirtz improves any team.”
Perez responded to Struth, but passed on the responsibility to General Manager Jose Angel Sanchez. The German’s agent says he later learned that Los Blancos did not consider moving Wirtz.
“Thank you, dear Volker. You know that your advice is always very important to me. Have you talked to Jose about this?”
In this case, it is not surprising that Real Madrid did not go for Wirtz. Two years earlier, Real Madrid spent big on Jude Bellingham from the Bundesliga, and considered him a midfielder who should work behind their strikers. The addition of Arda Guler provided some competition for places as well.
