Florian Wirtz tells fans ‘don’t believe everything’ – and hits out at German press – as Liverpool prepare record bid for Bayer Leverkusen star

• Liverpool and Leverkusen have been locked in talks about a move for the star
• Reports had suggested that Wirtz was keen to take a Reds star’s shirt number
• The attacker has, though, now spoken out on the potential move on social media

By LEWIS BROWNING

Published: 20:33 BST, 3 June 2025 | Updated: 20:33 BST, 3 June 2025

Florian Wirtz has urged fans to not ‘believe everything’ as negotiations continue over his proposed move to Liverpool.

Liverpool remain in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for Wirtz. Bayer want £120million and Liverpool are at £109m but Wirtz has made it clear he wants the move.

The Germany star has been convinced by Arne Slot’s clear plan of where he will play in Liverpool’s set-up as a No 10.

Should the Reds accede to Bayer’s demands, Wirtz would become the most expensive signing in British football, overtaking the £115m Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo.

Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, has proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart Simon Rolfes with easily attainable performance-related bonuses, such as Champions League qualification but the clubs are yet to agree a final fee.

Now, Wirtz has taken to social media to hit out at the German press after one reporter suggested the forward would be looking to take Alexis Mac Allister’s No 10 shirt should the move go through.

Florian Wirtz has taken to social media to rubbish a report that he is looking for the No 10 shirt if he joins Liverpool

A report in the German press suggested the star was keen to take the number if a move could be agreed

Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen remain locked in talks over a record-breaking move for Wirtz

Alexis Mac Allister currently wears No 10 for the Reds, with Wirtz insisting he would not be looking to take it

‘Who says I want the 10,’ Wirtz posted to his 3.3million Instagram followers. ‘I respect players.’

He added: ‘Don’t believe everything what’s written,’ accompanied by a clown emoji. 

The post comes after German journalist Florian Plettenberg of Sky suggested that Wirtz was looking to take Mac Allister’s shirt number.

He wrote on X on Monday: ‘Florian Wirtz would like to wear the number 10 shirt at Liverpool. He currently wears it at Leverkusen as well and the number 17 shirt for Germany.’

17 is also taken at Liverpool, with Curtis Jones currently occupying that number. 

Talks between Bayer and Liverpool, meanwhile, continue as they attempt to find a middle ground.

There is also a possibility that Bayer could bring a Liverpool player to Germany as part of the deal. Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah are both admired by Leverkusen, and either could be proposed as makeweight.

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was appointed Leverkusen’s new head coach last week after Xabi Alonso departed to take charge of Real Madrid.

Ten Hag has been out of work since being sacked by United in October but has wasted little time in looking to the Premier League to reshape his new squad.

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Florian Wirtz tells fans ‘don’t believe everything’ – and hits out at German press – as Liverpool prepare record bid for Bayer Leverkusen star

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