Bayern Munich keep Florian Wirtz door open but Kalle Rummenigge points to Ismael Saibari option

Bayern Munich have not ruled out a future move for Florian Wirtz, but club supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says there is no immediate need to pursue the Liverpool midfielder.

Rummenigge made the comments in an interview with Munchner Abendzeitung, reported by Goal, more than a year after Bayern made significant efforts to sign Wirtz.

The Germany international turned down a move to Bayern in the summer of 2025, leaving Bayer Leverkusen for Liverpool in a transfer worth 125m euros. Following a disappointing first season, he also failed to produce the level expected of him at the World Cup.

Asked whether Bayern could try to sign him again, Rummenigge, 71, said: “Could something else be possible at some point? I don’t know. The question is whether Wirtz is happy at Liverpool, and I can’t judge that. Uli [Hoeness] and I were in contact with his father and mother for some time, then they made a different decision, and we respected that.”

However, Rummenigge stressed that Wirtz was not currently a priority because Bayern already had several players capable of operating as a number 10.

“We must not forget that Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry play in this position, and there are also other options such as Ismael Saibari,” he said.

“There is no need to sign a fourth player as well, considering the amount of money Wirtz is likely to cost.”

Wirtz is a regular starter for Liverpool this season under new manager Andoni Iraola. He has not scored but has provided one assist, despite standing out statistically for his pressing, runs in behind the defence and passing between the lines. His performances have attracted criticism in England and prompted speculation that he could leave for Bayern.

Rummenigge said he had been surprised by the direction Wirtz’s career had taken since his move to Liverpool.

“Every step a player takes must be considered carefully beforehand,” he said. “To be honest, I was surprised by Wirtz’s development.

“The impression we had was that he went to Liverpool because the manager at the time, Arne Slot, promised to give him the number 10 position, the same role he had at Leverkusen. That was an important factor in his decision to join Liverpool.”

Rummenigge added that there had been no dramatic difference between the clubs financially.

Under Slot, Wirtz often played on the left wing or started matches as a substitute. He recovered his rhythm around the middle of the season and improved his attacking contribution for a period, before an injury led to another decline.

He finished the campaign with 17 goal contributions in 49 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists.