Florian Wirtz's Future at Liverpool: Bayern Munich Links Dismissed

Liverpool shut down talk of a quick Florian Wirtz exit to Bayern Munich. For now, the £116m gamble stays exactly where it is.

The German playmaker arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2025 as the jewel of a £400m rebuild, fresh from driving Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024/25. He came as the star of a champion side. He has not yet looked like one in England.

There have been flashes – the odd turn, the disguised pass, the reminder of why Liverpool fought off Europe’s elite to sign him – but not the sustained dominance that defined his Leverkusen days. The pressure is starting to build.

Paul Merson did not sugar-coat it on Sky Sports.

“I don’t know how long they can wait on Florian Wirtz. I’m a big fan of him, I think he’s a special player,” he said. “But it isn’t working; it just isn’t working. I don’t know how long they can wait.”

Those words landed at the same time as fresh noise from Germany. Reports suggested Bayern Munich were circling, ready to pounce if Liverpool lost faith. It sounded dramatic: a marquee signing, struggling in England, heading back to the Bundesliga with Bayern playing opportunist.

Inside Anfield, the message is different.

‘They’re still relying on him’

Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke poured cold water on the idea that Liverpool are preparing to cash in.

“They’re still relying on him,” O’Rourke told Football Insider. “I don’t think there are any plans on Liverpool’s end to offload Florian Wirtz anytime soon. I don’t think they’re ready to write him off just yet.”

He pointed to one game in particular as evidence that there is still a player worth waiting for.

“He was very impressive in that Champions League win against Atletico Madrid earlier this month as well. So look, it’s up to Andoni Iraola to find the best position for him in the team and try and get the best out of Florian Wirtz.”

That’s the crux of it. Liverpool’s hierarchy still see a long-term centrepiece. The challenge sits with Iraola: unlock him, and the narrative flips.

‘NOT TRUE’: Bayern links pushed back

From Germany, the Bayern angle has also been slapped down. Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk moved quickly to challenge talk of an imminent move.

Falk told CF Bayern Insider: “It is NOT TRUE: Bayern Munich are tracking Florian Wirtz and could make a shock move for the Liverpool player. My information is that this is not true.”

The history between Bayern and Wirtz is real, though, and Falk laid it out.

“Of course, there is a big history between FC Bayern and Wirtz. There were two secret meetings before he decided on Liverpool: the first one in Munich and then in Liverpool as well. At the time, Arne Slot persuaded the German international to switch to Merseyside. If there is such a connection, you’re always going to have rumours – even more so when there are concerns over his performance levels in England.

“To be clear, I don’t necessarily share those concerns; I think Wirtz is performing better than he did last year. He has a new position in the team. On the other hand, you have an ongoing topic with Jamal Musiala, where he’s not in his best possible shape at the moment due to his illness following his injury struggles last year.”

So the ingredients for speculation are obvious: a huge fee, a slow adaptation, a pre-existing Bayern courtship, and questions over Musiala’s current level. Put them together and the rumour mill spins.

The Olise factor and talk of a future swap

Where the story does take an intriguing turn is around Michael Olise.

Falk did not endorse the idea that a deal is in motion, but he acknowledged that, under the right circumstances, Wirtz could become part of a bigger Bayern puzzle.

“So, you can see where some reports have taken these conditions and claimed that one plus one equals two,” he said. “Of course, if Florian Wirtz were, at some point in future, interested in making a return to the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich would be the first team he’d talk to. However, there is nothing planned.

“Bayern have a big squad and everyone’s feeling really confident. Musiala has a long contract and don’t forget that Vincent Kompany is trying a new system with Michael Olise as the fulcrum in the centre – the same position he currently plays in for the French national team. So, FC Bayern have a lot of options. Don’t forget, either, that it was a lot of money Liverpool paid for Wirtz.”

Then came the scenario that will keep transfer departments and agents awake at night: a possible future swap or chain of deals involving Wirtz and Olise.

“Everyone is hoping the former Crystal Palace star signs a new contract, but if not, and he decides for a transfer, of course Florian Wirtz would be a player who’s interesting for Bayern Munich,” Falk added.

“The German can play on the side or centrally. This would be a very interesting thing, and if you make a swap deal with Liverpool or sell Olise for a lot of money to Real Madrid, you have the money to make an offer for Wirtz.

“So, there are many, many positions which have to be discussed. I wouldn’t say it’s not true that Bayern Munich would have thought of that.”

For now, it remains theory, not practice. Liverpool are not putting Wirtz on the market. Bayern are not at the table. But the outlines of a future saga are already sketched.

In the short term, the equation is brutally simple. Liverpool paid a fortune and built a new era expecting Florian Wirtz to be a pillar, not a problem. If Iraola finds the right role and the player finally catches fire, the conversation shifts from exits and swaps to influence and titles. If not, those “one plus one equals two” rumours will only get louder.