Michael Ballack was unsurprised by Florian Wirtz’s decision to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich this summer.
Bayern had been favourites to sign the Germany international from Bayer Leverkusen, but Wirtz opted for a then-record £116m move to Anfield.
The club reacted publicly, and the German media have criticised him following a quiet start at Liverpool.
Ballack, who joined Bayern from Leverkusen in 2002 and won three Bundesliga titles before moving to Chelsea in 2006, acknowledges Wirtz might have won trophies in Munich but says the Premier League’s appeal made the move to Liverpool more attractive.
“Of course, English clubs pay insane amounts,” Ballack told Bild when asked about his former club failing to sign both Wirtz and striker Nick Woltemade.
“But even for Wirtz, Bayern were prepared to put together a package worth up to €100million.
“And as for Nick Woltemade: That’s a different case. Bayern has a financial budget. The club has excelled for decades by staying out of debt and growing big.
“That’s why I understand why Bayern decided not to pay more than €55million for Woltemade. Because the player wasn’t worth more to them.
“But fundamentally, I’m concerned about something else. Let’s take Wirtz as an example: Does it make sense for him and his development to play in the Bundesliga for Bayern for another two or three years?
“Of course, he wins championships there. But is the Bundesliga still a challenge for him at the highest level?
“No, because the Bundesliga was overtaken by the Premier League years ago.
“That’s the reality. That’s why it’s generally no longer as attractive for the absolute top players. That’s why changes are needed.”
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