Chelsea supporters are expecting another busy summer transfer window as Xabi Alonso prepares to officially take charge on July 1.
The incoming Chelsea manager is expected to oversee a summer of change, while several big names continue to be linked with exits as well as many others speculated to move in the opposite direction.
One player who has repeatedly been mentioned is Florian Wirtz. His close relationship with Alonso following their successful spell together at Bayer Leverkusen has been the driving force behind the speculation.
However, the latest update to emerge on the sensational links will probably put to rest any hopes Chelsea fans had of seeing Wirtz swap Anfield for Stamford Bridge.
No way Florian Wirtz leaves Liverpool for Chelsea this summer
Speaking to TEAMtalk, journalist Graeme Bailey made it clear that Liverpool have absolutely no intention of allowing Wirtz to leave Merseyside this summer.
“Liverpool are not going to move on from Florian Wirtz, they worked so hard on that and the word from inside Anfield is the way he finished the season was a real plus point," he said.
“They know he struggled to adapt at first, but they had so many new players coming in – it was never going to be easy. But even if someone, like a Bayern Munich – who wanted him before, or if Xabi Alonso – who pushed for him at Chelsea, there is no way that Liverpool are letting him go, and they insist they have not heard anything from anyone.”
Liverpool are clearly still convinced Wirtz will become a huge success and are set to give him all the time he needs to fully establish himself in the Premier League.
The Germany international may not have set the Premier League alight immediately, but there is clearly still a belief inside Anfield that his performances towards the end of the season are a good sign ahead of the next campaign.
From Chelsea's perspective, the Alonso connection may always have made the rumours sound plausible. Unfortunately, plausible and realistic are two very different things.
Ridiculous to have ever thought otherwise
If we're being honest, Chelsea fans probably should never have taken the Wirtz rumours too seriously anyway. And if they did, they should've known better.
Liverpool spent well over £100 million to sign one of the most talented young attacking midfielders in world football just 12 months ago and were hardly going to sell him to a direct Premier League rival after just one season.
The fact Liverpool's number seven thrived under Alonso at the BayArena is irrelevant. The 23-year-old signed a contract until 2030, so from the Reds' perspective, they're in full control, and with no intention to sell, that should be the end of it as far as they're concerned.
Chelsea have plenty of positions to strengthen this summer, but attempting to prise Wirtz away from Liverpool was never realistically one of them.
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