Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz reacts disappointed during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Leverkusen’s head coach Xabier Alonso, right, celebrates with Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz at the end of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz reacts disappointed during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) 鈥 Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz says he鈥檇 like to play for another club sometime.
鈥淚鈥檓 definitely keen to leave my comfort zone at some point and experience something new,鈥 Wirtz said in a published on Thursday. 鈥淚 know the football locker rooms well enough and am convinced I would quickly fit in anywhere.鈥
The 22-year-old Wirtz has a contract with Leverkusen to 2027 but has been linked with a potential move to league rival Bayern Munich, Premier League side Manchester City, and Spanish giant Real Madrid.
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Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoene脽 has been calling for Wirtz鈥檚 signing, but the financially hampered club will likely find its ambitions limited by the price Leverkusen can demand for the young star, widely considered one of the best players in Germany.
Man City would have no such constraints as it looks for a successor to the departing Kevin de Bruyne, nor would Madrid for a 鈥済alactico鈥 signing if he were to join with Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who is widely expected to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at the Spanish club.
鈥淚鈥檓 quite lucky to have so many great clubs at my doorstep and to be able to play for one of the best clubs in Germany and Europe now,鈥 Wirtz said. 鈥淚鈥檝e great respect for the guys here in Leverkusen who come from South America or Africa, for example, and who leave their families and surroundings behind for their careers.鈥
Wirtz was 16 when he joined Leverkusen from local rival Cologne in January 2020. Six months later he became the youngest player to score in the Bundesliga at age , though that record was by Borussia Dortmund鈥檚 Youssoufa Moukoko.
鈥淲hen I switched from Cologne to Leverkusen, I didn鈥檛 think about my salary for a single second, but only about what was best for my career. I don鈥檛 even think about how much money I have in my account or what I could earn in the future,鈥 said Wirtz, who was grateful to his parents for their support.
鈥淭hey taught me to have a lifestyle that鈥檚 good for me, and not to neglect school. My parents played a big part in me becoming a professional soccer player. They were at every game, and my mother was even at every training session. I can count myself very lucky to have such a family,鈥 Wirtz said.
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Wirtz鈥檚 older sister, Juliane Wirtz, plays for Werder Bremen women鈥檚 team.
Florian Wirtz has scored 10 goals and set up 12 more in the Bundesliga this season.
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