Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen has issued a statement underlining the German club's credentials in the wake of missing out on no1 transfer target Florian Wirtz to Liverpool.
Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz is understood to have chosen to move to the Reds this summer over the Bavarian giants, and talks over a fee expected to a British transfer record are underway between the two clubs.
Wirtz had been publicly courted by Bayern for months, to the extent that it reportedly made the player uncomfortable. Other reports in German claim that Bayern manager Vincent Kompany failed to impress Wirtz when outlining his plan for the player. As such, Liverpool won the race for the star.
Bayern are now focusing on the Club World Cup, which Liverpool are not in. A fact Dreesen was at pains to point out.
"Much more has been written than spoken," Dreesen told TZ. "FC Bayern is one of the absolute top clubs in Europe and the world. Our appeal among fans, but also among players, is enormous.
"The fact that not every player will end up with us is simply part of the package; it's the same for other top clubs. But everyone knows: with FC Bayern, you can win everything every year, you're involved in every competition – the upcoming Club World Cup is a good example of that.
"Just look at which clubs are represented there – and, most of all, which (clubs) aren't. The best European clubs are competing there – including FC Bayern. Our appeal, sporting ambitions, and economic power are well known to all top players around the world."
