Bayern Munich monitors Florian Wirtz’s situation at Liverpool as adaptation struggles continue

Bayern Munich is keeping close tabs on Florian Wirtz at Liverpool, where the 23-year-old German international has struggled to justify his club-record price tag since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025.

Liverpool paid £100 million plus £16 million in add-ons, making Wirtz the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Fourteen months later, the returns have been modest at best.

A slow burn at Anfield

Wirtz’s first full season at Liverpool, 2025/26, produced five goals and three assists across 33 appearances. The current 2026/27 campaign has started even worse. Through his first five matches, Wirtz has registered just one assist and zero goals.

Liverpool appears to be taking the longer view. The club has reportedly committed to giving new manager Andoni Iraola the full 2026/27 season to integrate Wirtz into his system before making any decisions about the midfielder’s future.

Bayern’s long memory

Bayern Munich’s interest in Wirtz didn’t materialize out of thin air this September. The Bavarian club has admired Wirtz since well before his move to Anfield, and their pursuit of the midfielder predates Liverpool’s successful bid.

Any realistic path back to Germany would likely hinge on two things: Wirtz’s form not improving over the course of the season, and Liverpool’s willingness to absorb a significant financial loss on a player contracted through 2030.

The Iraola factor

Andoni Iraola’s appointment as Liverpool manager adds an interesting wrinkle. Liverpool’s decision to give Iraola a full season with Wirtz before reassessing is both pragmatic and protective, with a reassessment expected at season’s end if he does not improve.

With Wirtz locked into a contract through 2030, Liverpool holds virtually all the leverage. But leverage only matters if the player is performing, and right now, that’s the one thing Wirtz hasn’t been doing.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.