Michael Ballack has claimed that one Liverpool transfer target is definitely good enough to play for Real Madrid, insisting that he is a ‘very special’ talent.
Liverpool are going to be very interesting to watch this summer with the club going through something of an overhaul, with the likes of Michael Edwards, Richard Hughes and Arne Slot all coming in.
Unfortunately for the Reds, it appears that one player on their radar has already dealt them a blow by deciding that he is not planning to move anywhere this summer.
TBR Football recently reported that Liverpool were ready to make a move for Florian Wirtz, but the 21-year-old is planning to stay with Bayer Leverkusen.
Michael Ballack tips Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid
Leverkusen, of course, won the Bundesliga title and domestic cup while going unbeaten. In fact, their only loss of the campaign came on Wednesday as Atalanta thrashed them in the Europa League final.
Wirtz had an unbelievable season, scoring 18 goals and contributing 20 assists in all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s side.
A move may not happen this summer, but Michael Ballack is convinced that the £87 million-rated Germany international can play for the world’s biggest clubs already, as he told Bild that he could thrive at Real Madrid.
“He has a very special football intelligence with and without a ball, also works an enormous amount backwards for a team. This is always underestimated by such ingenious footballers as he is,” he said.
“As far as football is concerned, Wirtz can definitely play for Real Madrid. You can also see it in Jude Bellingham after his change from BVB: If you then play together with even better players, you will be even better.”
Arne Slot knows who he wants as his first signing at Liverpool
Liverpool may have to put their interest in Wirtz on the back-burner for the time-being, but it does appear that Arne Slot is making plans for the summer.
And perhaps he may soon be making a move for a player he knows extremely well. Slot reportedly wants to make Orkun Kokcu his first signing at Liverpool.
Kokcu has the ability to play across the midfield, but he has been incredibly productive in front of goal for Benfica this season, with seven goals and eight assists in the league.
And if Wirtz continues to develop at Leverkusen next season, it would be absolutely no surprise if Liverpool put themselves in the mix next summer.