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LOTHAR MATTHAUS HAS HAD HIS SAY OVER FLORIAN WIRTZ AND A SUMMER TRANSFER TO LIVERPOOL INSTEAD OF BAYERN MUNICH 15:01, 24 May 2025 German football legend Lothar Matthaus has admitted his
surprise over Florian Wirtz choosing to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, but believes the midfielder has the talent to make it a successful move. The 1990 World Cup-winner has also been
critical of his former club over this 'most heavy, painful defeat' in the transfer market. The _ECHO_ understands that Liverpool have now opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over
what would be expected to end up as a new club-record transfer for the talented Wirtz. An agreement has not yet been reached, but this is now a priority piece of business for Anfield chiefs
to complete, looking ahead to the 2025/26 defence of the Premier League title. As the situation first emerged, the Reds had established their interest and were waiting to learn the
midfielder's decision for the next step in his career. READ MORE: Florian Wirtz to Liverpool transfer latest as Bayern Munich make major admission with talks ongoingREAD MORE: Jurgen
Klopp fires brilliant Arne Slot message ahead of Liverpool return It was widely reported on Friday night that Wirtz has given indication that a move to England over a cross-country switch is
his preferred option. "Personally, I also thought Florian would want to stay in Germany for the next few years. He's taking on a big challenge. It's not just a new club:
it's a new mentality, a new language," Matthaus has told BILD. Matheus—the most-capped player in German history—made a similar decision in 1988 when he left Bayern for Inter Milan,
returning four years later. Article continues below 'Confident' in the 22-year-old, Matthaus added: "But this step also shows that he's not afraid. Florian Wirtz
believes in himself 100 per cent – and rightly so: I have absolute confidence in him that he'll make it at Liverpool and in the Premier League. "He doesn't have to hide from
anyone. A year before the World Cup, the move is also a risk, a leap into the unknown – but his friends and family will certainly support him very well." There was also comment to be
made of his former club, with Matthaus taking particular aim at honorary president Uli Hoeneß and sporting director Max Eberl for the position Vincent Kompany's side have seemingly been
left in. "This is a defeat for FC Bayern, and for Uli Hoeneß personally, certainly the most painful in the transfer market in recent memory: He had repeatedly said that Wirtz was their
absolute dream player, and that FC Bayern would pull out all the stops to get him. Therefore, the rejection is also a heavy, painful defeat for Uli," the ex-midfielder condemned.
"Bayern Munich is often taking the plunge these days. Max Eberl with [Thomas] Muller and [Leroy] Sane [both leaving at the end of their contracts], and now this case with Hoeneß with
Wirtz. Uli had said they would do anything to get him. "But the decision also shows: For Wirtz, FC Bayern is simply not the number one. The Premier League, with its quality up front and
across the board, is the best league in the world, with great intensity and pace. "Liverpool doesn't yet have that kind of game-changing player in his position. Perhaps that was
also a consideration: At FC Bayern, Jamal Musiala is actually the number 10. "Perhaps he doesn't want to share the position: I don't mean that the two have a problem with each
other. "But I had a similar situation in my career: In 1986, Napoli also wanted me, but Diego Maradona played in the number 10 position. So I decided against it, even though I had
nothing against Diego. Article continues below "Florian Wirtz can now flourish as a single number 10 in Liverpool."