How Juventus blew their chance to sign German wonderkid

Juventus are undoubtedly grappling with regret as they witness the meteoric rise of Florian Wirtz. The 20-year-old German attacking midfielder, who has dazzled for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, was once a potential target for Juventus back in 2021.

However, the Bianconeri deemed his €50 million price tag too high, a decision that may now cost them dearly according to Tuttosport (vis JuveFC).

Wirtz's value has exploded, with the youngster expected to command an eye-watering €100+ million fee should he decide to leave Leverkusen. His performances have been nothing short of spectacular.

In the 2023/24 season alone, Wirtz has racked up an impressive 11 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. WhoScored's data further emphasises Wirtz's impact: 26 Bundesliga appearances, 7 goals, 10 assists, and 4 man of the match awards. He maintains an average rating of 7.58 in league play, cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with.

This extraordinary talent has not gone unnoticed by other elite European clubs, who are now preparing to engage in a fierce bidding war for his signature. Increased competition will make it even more difficult for Juventus to secure the German wonderkid if they change their minds and decide to pursue him.

Wirtz's journey has been remarkable. His Bundesliga debut at the age of 17 years and 15 days made him the fourth-youngest player in the league's history. He's also rapidly become a fixture for the German national team, earning 15 caps and scoring once at the international level.

With a contract at Leverkusen that runs until 2027, the footballing world waits with bated breath to see where Wirtz will land. One thing seems certain: Juventus will forever be haunted by their decision to let this extraordinary talent slip through their fingers when he was far more attainable. The price of regret only gets steeper with each spectacular performance by the young German star.