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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Leverkusen director revealed how Liverpool signed Wirtz</li><li>Reds beat Bayern and Man City to sign the German</li><li>Joined the Reds for a British record fee</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Bayer Leverkusen director reveals how Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure Florian Wirtz transfer

<p>Rolfes heaped praise on the Liverpool management for handling the entire process with utmost professionalism, while claiming the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/florian-wirtz-mohamed-salah-ballon-dor-winners-losers-liverpool-record-breaking-transfer-bayer-leverkusen-magician-arne-slot-pep-guardiola/bltbde11274be26be0b" target="_blank">player was convinced of joining the English champions back in May</a>. The sporting director further claimed that the German side were aware since February this year that the player had decided to move out of the club, although Leverkusen wanted him to stay at least for one more year. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/der-plan-mit-den-wirtz-millionen-rolfes-wollen-die-naechste-titel-mannschaft-bauen-6863f4a19ea7df2e835c39d1" target="_blank"><em>BILD</em></a>, the Leverkusen official said: "Florian's requirement was that everyone be comfortable with the move. He told us, literally, that he hoped Bayer 04 would also be happy with the result. There wasn't a single moment (where we realised he wanted to leave), but rather a development. Our goal was to extend Florian's contract and keep him for at least another year. Gradually, we sensed that he was more interested in making a move. Starting in February and March, the discussions focused more on other clubs and other leagues. We always knew what he thought. We knew from the parents who they were talking to. The clubs from abroad (including Liverpool and Manchester City) also informed us, and they handled the matter in a highly professional and serious manner. </p><p>"In May, he told us that he had decided to join Liverpool FC. I believe he's a very good fit for Liverpool. The club has treated him very seriously. Florian was made to understand that they know exactly why they want him. This approach was a very important aspect of the overall package for him. All the clubs that had contacted us in advance were clear about the region in which the transfer would take place. We only negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us that was his preferred club. It was clear to me from the beginning of the negotiations that it would work out. Of course, everyone is fighting for their position, but it was always respectful. The people at both clubs know each other so well that a face-to-face meeting was not necessary. We handled the transaction over the phone, via email, and via video conference."</p>

WHAT ROLFES SAID

<p>Rolfes added: "We as a club can be just as proud of it as Florian. We signed him at the beginning of 2020 at the age of 16 and built a very trusting relationship with him and his parents. He has matured into a global star with us. With his style of training, playing style, and his ambition, he has managed to take the club to a new level in the last five and a half years, together with the other players. He himself has improved every year. He's 22 now, and he's matured into a person who made this decision on his own. It's important that he stands behind his decision 100 percent."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Arne Slot's men will reconvene this month before they play their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/liverpool-pre-season-2025-tour-fixtures-results-tickets-watch/blte4b6b39fac5dfe54#csa310bc1a07085b1d" target="_blank">first pre-season friendly against Preston</a> on July 13, before travelling to Hong and Japan for the remainder of their pre-season preparations. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Bayer Leverkusen director reveals how Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure Florian Wirtz transfer | Goal.com

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has opened up on how Liverpool beat Bayern Munich and Manchester City to secure the transfer for German sensation Florian Wirtz this summer.