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LIVERPOOL HAVE STRONG COMPETITION IF THEY ARE TO SIGN FLORIAN WIRTZ DURING THE SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW 17:30, 22 May 2025 If Liverpool are to land Florian Wirtz this summer, they are going to
have to fend off their biggest European rivals. One such club is Real Madrid, who may have just opened space to make a transfer following their latest official statement. Liverpool are in
the loop regarding Wirtz, as the _ECHO_ reported last week. The German playmaker is somebody who they admire very much and have made intentions clear in direct discussions with Wirtz's
camp. They may expect him to remain in Germany with current club Bayer Leverkusen or transfer rivals Bayern Munich, but until the player's decision is made Anfield chiefs are going to
do all they possibly can. The pool of suitors shrank when Manchester City officially exited the race, though reports from Spain have suggested that LaLiga giants Real are still on the
periphery. READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk to be handed Premier League title by much-loved special Liverpool guestREAD MORE: Giorgi Mamardashvili makes bold claim about Liverpool future in blunt
response to exit talk If the expected new Los Blancos manager, former Red Xabi Alonso, has indeed asked Florentino Perez to sign Wirtz then the 'communicado oficial' serves as a
bad piece of news. Midfielder Luka Modric, 39, has penned a lengthy, emotional statement to confirm that his career in the Spanish capital is to come to an end after 13 years. Over that time
he has become the club's most highly decorated individual and has been their chief creative spark, scoring 43 goal and assisting 95 times. So demand for a player of a similar ilk - not
only playing style but also with their career ahead of them with time enough to become the next club legend - is set to increase as Alonso sweeps in a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Article continues below This is in line with Arne Slot's aim to take a firm, controlling hold of football in England with a bolstered Liverpool squad. A report in Spain claims that
Alonso has already spoken highly about Wirtz to his future bosses in Madrid. Defensa Central reported that in a letter of introduction, Alonso said about Wirtz: "He is the best in his
position, he gives us things we do not have. He can win the Ballon d’Or." For the past two-and-a-half seasons at Leverkusen, under Alonso, the German international has made 119
appearances, scoring 38 goals and assisting 43 times. It is evident that the pair have a strong bond as player and coach, with Wirtz writing a message to the Spaniard upon his departure from
the Bundesliga: "Thank you for everything coach! It was a pleasure to play for you and was always fun to come to training. Thanks for helping me to get on another level. "You’re
not just a great manager but also a fantastic person! We shared so many unforgettable memories that will always stay in my head and heart. Wish you all the best for your next chapter!"
In return, Alonso told the German media of the 22-year-old: "Flo is one of the top players in the world. He is world class. Article continues below "Flo has a very mature mind. The
people around him, his parents, they want the best for him. "They are in a very important moment of his career. Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo and I will be happy for him.
Let's wait a little bit. It's normal in football that there are rumours, especially with such a special player. "There were rumours (in the past), there are rumours today and
there will be rumours in the future. You need to deal with them and not take them too seriously."