Liverpool news: Wirtz to Real Madrid heats up as star’s dad sends message | Football | Sport
Florian Wirtz was a big-money signing for Liverpool last summer (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool could be poised for another active summer as the Reds seek to re-establish themselves among the Premier League title challengers. Arne Slot’s squad are presently pursuing a place in next season’s Champions League after dropping below their title-winning standards from last season.
After several high-profile signings, the Reds have encountered difficulties at times this campaign, but have started to assemble results that could prove encouraging for the future. Liverpool are preparing to welcome West Ham on Saturday, aiming for a sixth victory in their last seven fixtures across all competitions.
Florian Wirtz represented one of the club’s headline signings last year after Liverpool secured his services, finalising a £116million transfer for the Bayer Leverkusen star. Following a sluggish beginning to the season, the 22-year-old has started to demonstrate his capabilities in a Liverpool shirt.
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Nevertheless, an agent has disclosed that he wished Wirtz to join Real Madrid and expects that the Spanish club will renew their pursuit in the future. Here, Express Sport examines some of the most significant headlines surrounding the Reds.
Florian Wirtz to Real Madrid
An agent linked to Wirtz revealed that he approached Real Madrid’s president during last summer’s transfer window in a bid to reunite the midfielder with his former boss Xabi Alonso.
While Wirtz’s father, Hans-Joachim, serves as the Liverpool star’s official representative, Volker Struth has previously handled the player’s marketing and was keen to facilitate a move to Los Blancos.
“During the period when a move to Liverpool or Bayern was being discussed, I called Xabi Alonso and told him: ‘You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real,'” Struth told Phrasenmaher.
“Xabi replied, ‘You don’t have to tell me that, you have to tell (Real president) Florentino Perez’. So I actually sent him a message.
“‘Dear Florentino, I’ve told you many times before: I have a player here whom I would highly recommend. Florian Wirtz makes every team in the world better.’
Galatasaray defender Roland Sallai has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
“That year, it simply wasn’t the right time due to the squad and the budget. Even Real Madrid’s coffers aren’t always overflowing. But my wish remains that Florian will play there one day.”
Father sends Liverpool transfer message
The father of Galatasaray right-back Roland Sallai has suggested that Liverpool have already established contact regarding a possible transfer. Injuries have rendered right-back a problematic position for the Reds this season, and the 28-year-old’s father believes his son represents Liverpool’s answer.
“Roli feels good here [at Galatasaray], he loves the club, he doesn’t want to leave at any cost, but I think he still has one big step left in his career, a really big club,” Tibor Sallai said to Hungarian outlet Blikk. “From here he can only sign for a team that is truly one of the top teams in the world.
“Liverpool could be such a destination, and I admit, I wouldn’t be surprised if this club change happened now, in the winter. I know that contact has already been made through a management office.
“I don’t want to and I don’t want to shout anything, but my son will really have a good chance in the summer, if there is an offer that is also beneficial for Galatasaray, to change country and level. It wouldn’t be just any moment if Liverpool were to run out onto the Anfield Road turf with three Hungarians in the starting lineup.”
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