Wirtz raises eyebrows with statement on future

Bayer Leverkusen's attacking jewel Florian Wirtz is widely expected to remain at the club beyond the summer, despite top clubs vying for his signature.

However, when asked if he'll "definitely" be playing for Leverkusen next season on Sunday, the 21-year-old was non-committal.

"I can't tell you anything right now. You know my contract," Wirtz, who is tied to Bayer Leverkusen until 2027, told Die Welt on Sunday.

However, a transfer this summer seems improbable, with reports suggesting a move in 2025 is more realistic.

A few months ago, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro told Onda Cero that the 21-year-old will "definitely" stay beyond the summer.

And back in February, Wirtz's father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, said there were no plans to leave Leverkusen.

"Florian has a contract in Leverkusen until 2027. That is roughly how long he will stay at Leverkusen. There's no answer what will happen when. We should wait for the next two years and then we'll see what happens," Hans-Joachim Wirtz told Kölner-Stadt Anzeiger.