In a stunning revelation, Florian Wirtz's agent has disclosed that he actively pursued a "dream" transfer to Real Madrid for his client last summer, before the German international ultimately joined Liverpool in a monumental £116 million deal. The behind-the-scenes maneuvering sheds new light on one of football's most significant recent transfers.
The Madrid Connection
Agent Volker Struth has now publicly confirmed that he personally contacted then-Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso during the critical summer transfer window, strongly advocating for Wirtz to follow Alonso to the Bernabeu. This connection was particularly meaningful as both Wirtz and Alonso had previously worked together at Bayer Leverkusen, where Wirtz played a pivotal role in securing the club's historic first-ever Bundesliga title during the 2023/24 season.
Direct Appeals to Madrid Hierarchy
Speaking candidly to German publication Bild, Struth recounted the precise details of his efforts. "During the period when a move to Liverpool or Bayern was being discussed, I called Xabi Alonso and told him: 'You have to take the lad from Leverkusen with you to Real,'" Struth revealed.
The agent continued with Alonso's surprising response: "Xabi replied: 'You don't have to tell me that, you have to tell Florentino Perez (Real Madrid's president).'" Undeterred, Struth then directly messaged the powerful Real Madrid president with a compelling endorsement of his client's abilities.
"So I actually sent him a message: 'Dear Florentino, I've told you many times before: I have a player here whom I would highly recommend. Florian Wirtz makes every team in the world better,'" Struth disclosed.
Why the Madrid Move Collapsed
Despite these persistent efforts, the proposed transfer to the Spanish giants ultimately failed to materialize. Perez reportedly thanked Struth for his recommendation but redirected him to the club's general manager José Sanchez. The timing proved unfavorable as Real Madrid had already committed significant resources to other acquisitions that summer, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono.
Struth provided context for the breakdown, explaining: "That year, it simply wasn't the right time due to the squad and the budget. Even Real Madrid's coffers aren't always overflowing. But my wish remains that Florian will play there one day." This statement underscores the agent's continued belief in Wirtz's suitability for the Spanish club despite the temporary setback.
Liverpool's Record Signing
With the Real Madrid pathway closed, Wirtz instead completed a groundbreaking transfer to Liverpool, becoming part of an ambitious summer spending spree that also included Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. The German midfielder's arrival at Anfield represented a strategic investment in the club's future, though his adaptation to English football has followed a challenging trajectory.
Wirtz has experienced a mixed beginning to his Premier League career as Liverpool's title defense has encountered unexpected difficulties. However, recent performances have shown promising signs of adjustment, with the 22-year-old stringing together positive displays before being surprisingly omitted from the starting lineup for last week's victory over Nottingham Forest.
Looking Forward
The young German international now aims to reclaim his starting position for Saturday's crucial match against West Ham United. Liverpool seeks to climb into the Premier League's top five positions ahead of Chelsea's Sunday encounter with Arsenal, adding significant pressure to this weekend's fixtures.
While Wirtz's immediate future lies at Anfield, his agent's revelations about the failed Real Madrid approach highlight the complex negotiations and alternative pathways that characterize modern football transfers. The story underscores how elite players often have multiple potential destinations before their final moves are completed, with agents playing crucial roles in these high-stakes discussions.
