FLORIAN FAVOURS MERSEY MISSION

Wirtz makes it clear he'll Slot in just fine

- by CHRIS MCKENNA

WHEN hopped on a private jet and landed in Blackpool back in May, the assumption was that he was going to meet Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

What wasn't known at the time was Liverpool were serious contenders for his signature. So were Bayern Munich, of course.

But, at that point, those outside of Anfield thought the Reds were just fringe hopefuls in the battle for one of the most exciting young players in football.

Florian Wirtz All three clubs were holding talks in different ways with the player and his family, which includes his father and agent Hans-Joachim Wirtz.

Decisions were being made and the trip was for reconnaissance rather than for meetings.

Wirtz and his close relatives were scoping out houses in the North West and used the private terminal in the seaside town to touch down to try and go unnoticed.

Liverpool would know then they were really in with a chance of landing one of the most coveted signings in world football.