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Bayer Leverkusen's CEO has hit back at comments made about Florian Wirtz's record-breaking transfer to Liverpool.
Wirtz joined the Reds from Leverkusen earlier this summer in a blockbuster $157 million move. The 22-year-old was unavailable for the club’s preseason opener against Preston North End. However, Wirtz is expected to make his first appearance for the club soon, as the Reds prepare to embark on their preseason tour of Asia. Matches against AC Milan in Hong Kong and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan are on the schedule, providing the 22-year-old with a likely opportunity to showcase his talent.
Expectations are high for Wirtz, whose stellar performances at Leverkusen earned him a reputation as one of Europe’s top young midfielders. Liverpool’s successful pursuit of the playmaker, despite strong interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City, has only added to the excitement surrounding his arrival at Anfield.
The high-profile move has been talked about for months, and Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has fired back at Hans-Joachim Watzke's comments about the Germany international.
Last month, the Borussia Dortmund CEO said: "It’s a real shame, especially for the DFL, that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga.
"I wouldn’t have had a problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern. That would have been better for the Bundesliga. It doesn’t really matter for the national team. He’ll play at the highest level in Liverpool, too. He could have worked better with Musiala in Munich, but two such good footballers can find each other anyway."
Throughout the Wirtz transfer saga, Bayer Leverkusen remained firm in its stance that the midfielder would not be sold to domestic rival Bayern Munich.
Following his completed move to Liverpool, CEO Fernando Carro was asked whether he was satisfied with the 22-year-old's decision to join the Premier League.
He said: "Honestly, yes. I have a different opinion then Hans-Joachim Watzke. I don’t understand how he, as the boss of Borussia Dortmund, could have been happy if Wirtz had gone to Munich. That would have made Bayern even stronger.
"I want an exciting Bundesliga. I’m happy when more clubs – besides us – make life difficult for Bayern, because I believe that benefits the Bundesliga."
Former Leverkusen executive Tim Steidten recently offered insights into Wirtz’s ambitious mindset and long-term goals. Steidten, who played a key role in bringing Wirtz to Leverkusen during his time as head of scouting, offering Liverpool fans even more reason to be excited about the midfielder ahead of his debut.
“Many people ask me whether he will be able to establish himself at Liverpool,” Steidten told Sky Germany. “For me, that is beyond question. My answer is always clear: yes!
“I remember our first conversation with him in Simon Rolfes’ office very well – his parents were there too. Simon asked him, ‘Where do you want to go, what do you want to achieve?’ And Florian replied, ‘I want to become the best player in the world.’”
Following on from pre-season, the 2025-26 season kicks off on August 10 with the Reds taking on FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield at Wembley, followed by their Premier League title defense starting at home against Bournemouth on August 15.
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