**Florian Wirtz** has poured cold water on swirling speculation linking him to Liverpool, taking to Instagram to directly deny reports about wanting to claim the **No.10 shirt** currently worn by **Alexis Mac Allister**.
The **Bayer Leverkusen star**, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, has been heavily linked with a move to **Premier League champions Liverpool**, with manager **Arne Slot** keen to bolster his already electric squad. However, Wirtz is now pushing back against what he sees as misinformation.
> **“Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don’t believe everything what’s written,”** Wirtz wrote on his Instagram story, calling out recent reports.
### Origin of the Rumour
German journalist **Florian Plettenberg** recently claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that Wirtz was eager to wear the **No.10 shirt** at Liverpool — the same number he wears at Leverkusen and the No.17 for Germany. The report suggested that he would only accept that iconic shirt number at Anfield, which naturally stirred up debate, given **Mac Allister’s pivotal role** in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign.
However, Wirtz’s direct response has dismissed that claim, signaling that respect for his peers and professionalism outweighs any desire for symbolic numbers.
### The Bigger Picture: A €140 Million Tug-of-War
Regardless of the shirt number drama, **Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz is very real**. Reports suggest that the club has already submitted a **€130 million (£109m)** offer for the 22-year-old playmaker, with Leverkusen holding out for closer to **€140-150 million**. Wirtz is also reportedly attracting attention from **Manchester City** and **Bayern Munich**, meaning the Reds will likely need to move swiftly and decisively.
If the deal goes through, Wirtz would become one of the most expensive players in Liverpool’s history — a statement of intent from Arne Slot, who has already secured **Jeremie Frimpong** this summer in what appears to be a **Bundesliga-powered rebuild**.
### Wirtz: A World-Class Prospect
Fresh off a stellar 2024/25 season under **Xabi Alonso**, Wirtz racked up **31 goal contributions (16 goals, 15 assists)** in just 45 appearances — underlining why top European clubs are vying for his signature. Despite his youth, the German international already boasts **29 caps**, and his tactical intelligence, creativity, and eye for goal make him a natural fit for Liverpool’s evolving midfield.
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### Final Take
While transfer speculation continues to swirl, **Wirtz’s public denial adds a dose of clarity**. He may well be heading to Anfield soon, but it won’t be at the expense of teammate respect or false narratives.
Liverpool, meanwhile, remain determined to make this dream move a reality — and with Slot’s revolution gaining pace, Wirtz could yet become the crown jewel of their summer window.
