Leverkusen Confirms Wirtz’s Transfer to Real Madrid “Was Done”
Florian Wirtz looked set to join Real Madrid — but the move never materialized. The German playmaker, who shone under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, was reportedly eager to reunite with his former coach in the Spanish capital. However, the official offer from Madrid never arrived.
Real Madrid’s Transfer Dynamics
Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro recently confirmed that Xabi Alonso had “total control” over transfers at the German club. Things are very different at Real Madrid, where Florentino Pérez, the club’s president, makes the final decisions on all signings.
That doesn’t mean Xabi’s opinion carries no weight — far from it. Pérez is known to consult closely with his managers. But if a deal doesn’t make financial sense for him, it rarely happens.
Leverkusen’s asking price for Wirtz was reportedly too high, and with Madrid already stacked with attacking midfielders, the move became unfeasible. Pérez decided it wasn’t a priority, and the club moved on.
Xabi and Wirtz: A Special Bond
Xabi Alonso and Florian Wirtz shared countless victories and memorable moments in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga-winning season. The Spanish coach knows the player inside out and is well aware of what he could bring to Madrid. But with so many offensive options already in the squad, there was simply no room.
Still, Wirtz would not have hesitated to accept the move. Under Xabi, he developed into one of Europe’s most creative and intelligent midfielders — and he remains deeply appreciative of his former coach.
Carro himself admitted that if Real Madrid had made an official bid, Wirtz would have accepted “without a second thought.”
Struggles in England
Today, Wirtz is finding life tough in the Premier League. His minutes have decreased, and he’s struggled to make a decisive impact on the scoresheet. While his performances remain solid, critics point to his lack of goals and assists as a reason for concern.
We may never know what Wirtz’s story at Real Madrid could have been. What’s certain, though, is that the German’s admiration for Xabi Alonso remains strong — and that connection could open the door for a future reunion somewhere down the line.
