Premier League on RED ALERT: Wirtz has contract doubts after horror week

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Mar 2025 10:05 CDT
4 min read

Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Florian Wirtz has doubts about extending his Bayer Leverkusen contract after the club's horrific week, according to German media.

The past week could have really kickstarted Leverkusen's season, but it had quite the opposite effect: their campaign is now effectively over. Xabi Alonso and his men have crashed out of the Champions League and seen their hopes of retaining the Bundesliga title fade away.

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The Werkself travelled to Munich last week for the first leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern and faltered under the pressure. The Bavarians ran out 3-0 victors, which allowed them to cruise through the second leg on Tuesday, winning 2-0 in Leverkusen.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern actually slipped up at the weekend. Joao Palhinha got himself sent off, allowing relegation-battling Bochum to stage an epic comeback and claim a 3-2 win in Munich.

However, Bayer couldn't pounce on this opportunity as they themselves fell to a shock defeat against an out-of-form Bremen side. To make matters worse, star attacker Florian Wirtz suffered an injury and missed the second leg against Bayern. He is expected to be out until April.

Wirtz unsure of new contract

The past week, easily the worst of Alonso's hugely successful reign at Leverkusen, could have major consequences for the club. According to BILD, Bayer's lack of competitiveness in the Champions League has planted doubts in Wirtz's head regarding his future.

Bayer were outclassed by Liverpool and Bayern and also suffered a defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid. This, it is claimed, has made Wirtz unsure and hesitant.

In December, it was reported that he had agreed to extend his contract, but the player has now been dithering for three months for fear that last year's double-winning season was just a flash in the pan.

Wirtz was expected to extend his contract and stay with Leverkusen until at least the 2026 World Cup, but if he were to turn down a renewal now, it would blow his future wide open with a view to this summer.

Although he would still be tied to the club until 2027, he could become available and attainable in the upcoming window should he express a desire to leave.

These developments will have put Europe's biggest clubs on red alert. Bayern view him as their dream target for this or next summer, but he also has Premier League suitors.

Leverkusen for their part remain optimistic that Wirtz will extend. In fact, it is asserted that they have been using these disappointing experiences to specifically make the case for an extension.

Wirtz has, at times, looked uncharacteristically frustrated this season and Leverkusen argue that another year or two with them would make him more resilient and mature.