Bayer Leverkusen stance on Florian Wirtz as Liverpool could face Real Madrid battle

Liverpool will likely make signings this summer. The Reds arguably need a defender, due to the pending release of Joel Matip as a free agent at the beginning of July. In midfield, the same can be said for Thiago Alcantara, who'll also be released from his contract after four injury-hit years at Anfield.

David Ornstein of The Athletic claimed that Liverpool will also look at bringing in a winger this summer, even if none of the current attackers leave the club this summer. However, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah the interest of Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League, nothing can be ruled out.

Florian Wirtz is one of those players linked with a potential summer move to Liverpool. Wirtz was one of the key figures in Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side that went all the way in the Bundesliga, winning the league unbeaten and also completing a domestic double. Leverkusen fell short of a historic treble in the Europa League final, losing to Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Florian Wirtz 'terms agreed' and Yankuba Minteh stance

READ MORE: Florian Wirtz agent already gave Liverpool clear transfer message as Real Madrid 'agrees terms'

Xabi Alonso decided to remain at Leverkusen for another season, and despite links to Liverpool and Real Madrid, it appears Wirtz will stay in the Bundesliga also.

That's according to Leverkusen's managing director Simon Rolfes, who maintains the player will remain. "He will stay. His father and agent said it before. He has a contract here and he's really happy," he told Sky Sports last month. "This is the right place for him to develop as a player and person. His future is bright that's for sure.

"He is such a good player and shows a great will to win and to work. It's not normally the attributes of a number 10 but he combines talent with the work rate of a six or a defensive player along with producing special magic moments."

Spanish outlet Marca states that Wirtz will remain in Leverkusen for another season, but could join Real Madrid thereafter along with Alonso. A price tag of $162m (£127m/€150m) is being touted by the Spanish paper. Wirtz scored 11 goals and produced 12 assists for Leverkusen in 2023/24.

Liverpool.com says: It makes for a refreshing change to see emerging players remain with the team that helped them explode. Far too often we see players leave a club too early and their career stalls as a result. It's also nice to see Leverkusen won't be broken up too soon, and they will get another season together to see what they can do in the Champions League.