Real Madrid rejected Florian Wirtz ahead of Liverpool move
Florian Wirtz could have joined Real Madrid, but the Spanish giants vetoed the move in the last transfer window. Instead, the 22-year-old German midfielder left Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool in what became one of the most expensive deals in Premier League history.
Why Wirtz didn’t land in Madrid
According to The Times and AS, Real Madrid considered Wirtz but ultimately prioritized defensive reinforcements over midfield signings. Club president Florentino Pérez and coach Xabi Alonso decided the timing wasn’t right to invest heavily in another creative midfielder.
The focus was on defense:
- Dean Huijsen arrived after impressing with Bournemouth.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold was secured on a free transfer from Liverpool.
- Álvaro Carreras returned to strengthen the left-back spot.
In midfield, the only addition was Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old Argentine prodigy from River Plate, already earning minutes in LaLiga.
Wirtz’s start at Liverpool
Despite reported interest from Bayern Munich, Wirtz chose the Premier League champions. Since joining Liverpool, he has registered one assist in his first four matches.
Last season at Bayer Leverkusen, he was one of Europe’s standout playmakers, producing 16 goals and 14 assists in 46 appearances.
Real Madrid’s future transfer plans
With Wirtz off the table, Madrid is already planning ahead for 2026. The club is preparing a bid for Javi Guerra (Valencia) and could use Dani Ceballos as part of a swap deal.
