Bayern Munich chief Jan-Christian Dreesen has revealed why the club chose not to rival Liverpool for the record-breaking transfer of Florian Wirtz despite insisting the German giants “can afford any transfer we want.”
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Liverpool secured Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer in a £116 million deal, setting a new British transfer record. However, the German playmaker has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga form since joining the Premier League side.
The 21-year-old has featured in 10 matches under Arne Slot but managed only one assist so far. Following a run of underwhelming displays, Slot benched Wirtz for Liverpool’s key Premier League clash against Chelsea, though the midfielder later came on for Conor Bradley early in the second half.
– ADEVERTISEMENT –
Explaining Bayern’s stance on the move, Dreesen told BILD: “We can afford any transfer we want. We have an excellent capital ratio. FC Bayern is doing very well. But we want to be able to pay a player – without having to run to the bank. That’s not FC Bayern’s DNA.”
He added that Premier League clubs enjoy far greater media revenue, saying: “The bottom team in the English league, at €125m, has €60m more than us. Liverpool has €200m, while FC Barcelona and Real Madrid each have €160m.”
Liverpool, who began their campaign with seven straight wins in all competitions, have since suffered three consecutive defeats — against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Galatasaray. After the international break, they will face Manchester United on October 19.