'Arsenal wanted Florian Wirtz before he joined Bayer Leverkusen'

Cameron Smith

• 30 Apr 2024 20:00 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal were interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz during his time at FC Koln, according to former Gunners scout Yousuf Sajjad.

Wirtz, now 20, was widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in world football before leaving Koln and Arsenal were among the teams keen on signing him.

However, a full-hearted pursuit never took place and the Gunners missed out on the German attacking midfielder.

READ MORE: Former scout reveals truth behind Chelsea's EXTENSIVE Jude Bellingham pursuit

Wirtz subsequently joined Bayer Leverkusen for €200,000 in 2020 and he helped Xabi Alonso’s side win the Bundesliga for the first time ever this campaign.

But, things could’ve been far different had a move to Arsenal materialised during his teenage years.

READ MORE: Florian Wirtz's transfer plans clarified as Liverpool & Real Madrid circle

Florian Wirtz almost joined Arsenal?

Former Arsenal scout Sajjad has admitted that Arsenal were interested in signing Wirtz, but a move never happened, in part due to his injury problems at the time.

He told Rising Ballers: “There was actually a period where he was at Koln, he was coming towards the end of his contract. Of course, you could see the level of player he was but he had also that season quite a few injuries, so he was playing, he wasn’t playing.

“It was almost like, at that point, it was just not something that they [Arsenal] were keen on at that moment, or at least he was keen on pursuing at that moment.

“I think education is quite important in Germany. It was almost like he had to finish school, then he makes obviously a great move to Leverkusen, it works out again really well for him and probably has the choice of whatever he clubs in the world that would want to sign him, but also achieving great things at Leverkusen as well.

“His technical quality… he was scoring outrageous goals. Every time I went and watched him, he would have just outrageous moments in a game where you’re thinking ‘this is not normal’.

“I think, of course, it would hit everyone when you go and watch a player like that, who's having these type of moments, but for him to do on a consistent basis and do it mostly at a level where he’s playing for the Under-19’s, for the B team as an Under-16, I think it was also showing that he has a certain level of quality that is different to the rest.

“Along with Jude, [they were] two of the best players I’ve seen at youth level.”

Sajjad also used to work for Chelsea and he admitted that the Blues produced over 60 reports on Bellingham, but were unable to convince him to leave Birmingham City.