Champions League Winner Tells Florian Wirtz Why He Was Right to Snub Bayern Munich for Liverpool; Sad Indictment of Bundesliga State

Liverpool outspent everyone this summer and did most of the heavy lifting in the transfer window.

The likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak all arrived for big money with the Anfield giants splashing out almost £420million in what was a staggering window for Arne Slot.

Isak’s transfer saga was a long running one and cost a record fee for the club but there were plenty of other deals that also cost hefty chunks of cash.

Liverpool also beat a number of clubs to their summer targets. Hugo Ekitike was wanted by Newcastle United before he moved to join the Reds.

Parma also sold Giovanni Leoni to Liverpool over the Magpies and even accepted a smaller bid from the Reds than Newcastle offered after the player made his mind up on the move he wanted.

But it was Florian Wirtz who had one of the bigger decisions to make of the window between Liverpool and remaining in Germany.

Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool despite Bayern offer

The 22-year-old had Liverpool and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich chasing his signature, and Champions League winner Michael Ballack insists the playmaker made the right call.

World Cup runner-up Ballack also namedropped Newcastle’s new hitman Nick Woltemade – who also had Bayern interest before the Premier League – as he explained why he felt the both of them did the right thing by playing in England.

“Of course, English clubs pay insane amounts,” he told BILD. “But even for Wirtz, Bayern were prepared to put together a package worth up to €100million.

“And as for Nick Woltemade: That’s a different case. Bayern has a financial budget. The club has excelled for decades by staying out of debt and growing big. That’s why I understand why Bayern decided not to pay more than €55million for Woltemade.

Why Bayern pull no longer what it used to be in Bundesliga

“Because the player wasn’t worth more to them. But fundamentally, I’m concerned about something else.”

Ballack added: “Let’s take Wirtz as an example: Does it make sense for him and his development to play in the Bundesliga for Bayern for another two or three years? Of course, he wins championships there.

“But is the Bundesliga still a challenge for him at the highest level? No, because the Bundesliga was overtaken by the Premier League years ago. That’s the reality.

“That’s why it’s generally no longer as attractive for the absolute top players. That’s why changes are needed.”

Ballack, of course, is uniquely placed to hold such an opinion with weight having starred for Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern and Chelsea where he won his fair share of trophies.