Blow for Liverpool after Leverkusen chief hopeful of Wirtz stay while Salah could sign contract extension
Liverpool has been handed a blow after Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has revealed that target Florian Wirtz will remain with the Bundesliga side.
Bayern Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller is hopeful that midfielder Florian Wirtz will remain at the club ‘for a few more years’ despite reported interest from Liverpool and other Premier League sides.
The 18-year-old midfielder has earned comparisons to former Leverkusen man Kai Havertz, who sealed a big-money move to Chelsea in 2020.
Wirtz has scored five goals and registered eight assists in 15 Bundesliga outings this term, further raising his profile and the possibility of a lucractive move to a top European club.
Voller has conceded that this moment is likely to arrive at some stage in the near future, but he has not given up hope that Wirtz will stay put for the time being.
“Not only because of the contractual situation – also because of the trust we have built in him and his family, we know that he will be in good hands here for a few more years,” Voller told German publication Bild.
“At some point, maybe that day will come and this club will be too small for Florian, similar to Kai [Havertz]. But that will still take a while.
“[My] wish is that Florian will stay with us for a few more years. That is important for us and for the whole of the Bundesliga. I think it’s his plan too.”
Meanwhile, Neco Williams is expected to ‘move on’ from Liverpool within the next 12 months, in search of regular game time.
The 20-year-old has made six appearances for the first-team this season, but has struggled to feature on a consistent basis due to Trent Alexander-Arnold having this position nailed down.
The Athletic have claimed that the Reds will ‘listen to offers’ for Williams, particularly as the cub have been encouraged by the development of Conor Bradley.
Warnock: No doubt Salah will sign new deal
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has ‘no doubt’ that Mohamed Salah will sign a new contract at the club.
Salah is yet to agree new terms with the Reds over a new deal, with his current contract set to expire in 2023.
There has been plenty of talk regarding the Egyptian will stay at the club or move on 18 months down the line, though Warnock believes the answer is clear.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Warnock said: “From Liverpool’s point of view, the contract doesn’t just come down to what he’s producing on the pitch, you have to think of what he brings in revenue-wise.
“People come to Anfield to watch him, he sells shirts around the world, he’s a global icon. That plays a part and I think Liverpool know there’s that side of it as well.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he will sign a new contract.”
