Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has addressed rumours that Bayern Munich might try again to sign Florian Wirtz, suggesting the Bundesliga club would probably be unable to afford the Liverpool midfielder.
The Bayern Munich legend and supervisory board member also expressed surprise at the Germany international's difficulties at Anfield. Wirtz was persistently linked with a move to Munich during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, but Liverpool beat Bayern to his signature last summer after convincing the player to join the Reds.
Rummenigge on Wirtz's Liverpool struggles
Wirtz arrived at Liverpool in a transfer valued at up to £116m, but has experienced inconsistent form in England and faced mounting scrutiny over his displays. He managed seven goals and eight assists across 49 appearances in his first season on Merseyside as Liverpool faltered under Arne Slot, falling short of retaining the Premier League title. He has registered just one assist from six outings under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Speaking to AZ, Rummenigge said: "First of all, that's not my job. You mustn't forget that Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry play in that position, and there are other options such as Ismael Saibari.
"There's no need to buy a fourth player for the amount of money Wirtz would probably cost.
"That's why I say: every step a player takes is something he has to think through carefully beforehand. Whether something else could still be possible at some point? I don't know.
"The question is whether Wirtz is happy at Liverpool. I can't judge that. Uli [Hoeness] and I were in contact with his father and mother for a while. Then they made a different decision, and we respected that."
Surprise at Wirtz's move to Liverpool
Rummenigge also expressed astonishment at Wirtz's difficulties at Liverpool, suggesting the £116m star only moved to the Reds because of assurances from Slot about his role.
"Honestly, yes (I am surprised)," he added. "We were given the impression that he was going to Liverpool because the manager at the time, Arne Slot, had promised him the No. 10 position, which he had also played at Leverkusen.
"That was an important factor in his decision to choose Liverpool. Financially, there were no dramatic differences. He made his decision, and we accepted it."
