Joachim Low urges Florian Wirtz to stay put at Bayer Leverkusen

By SABC Sport
18th March 2025

Florian Wirtz's future at Bayer Leverkusen remains a hot topic, but former Germany head coach Joachim Low has weighed in with a clear message: don't rush to leave.

The 21-year-old midfield sensation has been heavily linked with a blockbuster transfer, with Bayern Munich leading the chase to prise him away from the reigning Bundesliga champions.

Yet Low, a respected voice in German football, believes Wirtz should hold off on any move until after the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to Welt TV, Low advised, "He would be well advised to wait until after the 2026 World Cup to change clubs."

The former national team boss, who guided Germany to World Cup glory in 2014, highlighted the stability Leverkusen offer as a key factor for the young star's development. "He will play even if he has a weak phase. He's guaranteed to play," Low added, stressing the trust Wirtz enjoys at the BayArena.

Leverkusen have built a nurturing environment around their prized asset, and it's paying off. Wirtz has already notched nine goals and ten assists in the Bundesliga this season, alongside six strikes in the Champions League.

However, his campaign hit a snag earlier this month when he suffered an ankle ligament injury during a match against Werder Bremen on March 8. The setback, confirmed by the club, will sideline him for several weeks, ruling him out of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich and Germany's upcoming Nations League ties against Italy.

Despite the injury blow, Leverkusen remain confident about tying Wirtz down to a new deal. Posts on X from reliable sources like Fabrizio Romano have suggested the club are close to extending his contract, with a potential release clause kicking in post 2026, valued around 125 million euros.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, have made no secret of their interest with media reports claiming of being in "very concrete talks" and prepared to offload players and slash salaries to fund a move that could exceed 100 million euros fixed.

Low's cautionary words carry weight, though. For a player still blossoming into one of Europe's elite talents, staying put might just be the smartest play. Leverkusen fans will hope their star heeds the advice, and that his recovery is swift.