Chelsea Eye Wirtz as Liverpool Struggles Fuel Transfer Talk

Chelsea are considering a potential move for Florian Wirtz in 2027 as the Liverpool attacking midfielder struggles to reproduce his Bayer Leverkusen form, according to reports published October 13, 2026. Germany legend Lothar Matthaus identified Chelsea as a possible destination because former Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is now in charge at Stamford Bridge, while Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have also been linked with the 23-year-old.

Liverpool signed Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for a fee reported at approximately £106 million to £116 million, with another report valuing the deal at €125 million. His contract at Anfield runs until June 2030, and no interested club has made a confirmed formal offer, according to CaughtOffside.

Livescore reported that Wirtz had scored seven goals in 56 appearances for Liverpool and recorded one goal contribution in seven matches during the current season. Sports Yahoo separately reported one assist in six matches across competitions, reflecting different reporting periods and statistical summaries.

His recent performances have intensified scrutiny, particularly following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. His decision to shoot instead of passing to teammates in a promising attacking situation drew visible frustration from players, according to Football365.

Matthaus believes Wirtz's experience at Liverpool contrasts with the support he receives from Germany's national team and previously enjoyed at Leverkusen.

"I've recently been impressed by Florian Wirtz when he plays for the German national team," Matthaus said, according to Football365.

He pointed to differences in how Liverpool's players involve the midfielder during attacking moves.

"His teammates look to find him on the ball there, just as they used to at Leverkusen. At Liverpool, however, the players tend to look for other options, such as [Dominik] Szoboszlai alongside him or [Alexander] Isak ahead of him."

Matthaus also acknowledged that expensive players attract heightened scrutiny after disappointing results, while noting that his latest information suggested Liverpool had generally been satisfied with Wirtz's recent performances.

"According to my latest information from England, people have generally been satisfied with his performances recently. However, when you are an expensive, game-changing player and lose a big match 3–0, you can expect plenty of backlash from the media."

Despite Bayern Munich's longstanding interest in the German international, Matthaus does not expect a short-term move to the Bundesliga club. He cited the competition for attacking positions and the established status of several players in Vincent Kompany's squad.

"When I look at Bayern Munich's attacking options, Kane, Olise and Díaz are established starters, while Musiala and Gnabry are also top-quality players. The club wants to extend Kane's and Olise's contracts, while the others are tied down to long-term deals. Saibari has also recently joined the squad."

Matthaus said the existing squad would make it difficult to accommodate Wirtz immediately.

"At the moment, I honestly wouldn't know where Wirtz would fit in, and I simply don't see any realistic short-term possibility of bringing him to Bayern Munich."

He identified Chelsea and Spanish clubs as potential alternatives if Wirtz's difficulties at Liverpool continue.

"If Wirtz continues to face criticism at Liverpool and fails to show the joy and freedom in his game that we know he has, then at some point all parties will have to sit down together and perhaps find a solution."

Matthaus specifically highlighted the possibility of Wirtz working with Alonso again after their successful period together at Bayer Leverkusen, which included the Bundesliga title in 2024.

"There are clubs in Spain that would be interested, as well as another club in England: Chelsea, where Wirtz's former coach Xabi Alonso is now in charge."

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has also called for a change to the team's starting lineup following the defeat to Manchester City. He argued that Ryan Gravenberch should return to the team, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to operate in the advanced midfield role currently occupied by Wirtz.

"Ryan Gravenberch has to play in the Liverpool team," Carragher said on Sky Sports.

Carragher acknowledged that Gravenberch had not started the season strongly under the new manager but highlighted his Premier League experience and previous contributions to Liverpool.

"He hasn't started the season really well with the new manager but he can run, he can play, he's handled himself in the Premier League, he's a Premier League winner, he was one of the outstanding players."

The former Liverpool defender questioned whether Wirtz's signing had delivered the expected results and argued that Gravenberch should not remain on the bench while the German midfielder starts.

"I'm just sorry to say this Florian Wirtz signing it's not working and it hasn't worked so far and Gravenberch should not be sitting on the bench when Wirtz is playing for Liverpool."

Carragher distinguished Wirtz's situation from that of Bradley Barcola, arguing that the latter deserved more time to settle because he had only recently arrived and had missed preseason preparations.

"Barcola hasn't made a good start so far for Liverpool but if we started being critical of him I think that would be harsh because he's been here six weeks and didn't have a pre-season."

He maintained that Wirtz, who had played considerably longer for Liverpool, should already have demonstrated greater influence on matches.

"You want a bit more from what you've seen already but you think hang on slow down give him a bit more time. That would be harsh having a go with him right now – it's not harsh to be having a go at Wirtz right now, he's got to do so much more."

Carragher said the midfielder had yet to establish himself as a decisive performer for Liverpool despite arriving with expectations of becoming one of the Premier League's leading attacking players.

"I struggle to think of one game where he's won Liverpool the game or he's been the man. He was brought in to be a star of the Premier League. I felt he could be the Kevin De Bruyne that at times got Man City over the line."

He also cited Wirtz's number of appearances as a reason for expecting more consistent performances and called for him to lose his guaranteed place in the starting lineup.

"Wirtz has been here for 55-60 games, it's a lot and I don't see it changing. Wirtz where he's almost nailed on that he plays every week in that No 10 position it has to stop."

Carragher reiterated his position after Liverpool's loss to Manchester City.

"I think he needs to come out of the team, I said that last time out and I'm going to say it again."

Any potential transfer would depend on Liverpool's position and the interest of prospective buyers. CaughtOffside reported that Liverpool were not actively looking to sell Wirtz, while his long-term contract could complicate negotiations. Livescore also noted that Chelsea had invested €138 million in Morgan Rogers over the summer, with the England international playing in a similar position and recording four goals and four assists in eight games. Chelsea are also expected to prioritize strengthening central midfield, leaving the likelihood of a move for Wirtz uncertain.