While he may drift unnoticed between the lines on the pitch, Wirtz has been unable to escape the headlines during an early season transfer saga. The sought-after playmaker was initially thought to be subject of a three-way tussle between Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann believes Florian Wirtz would be making a "very good step" if a proposed big-money switch to Liverpool goes through in the summer transfer window.

Wirtz has been targeted by both clubs but is believed to favour Liverpool — although they would still need to agree a deal with Leverkusen.