That bet paid off quickly. A first-team debut in May 2020. Youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history weeks later. And eventually, under Xabi Alonso, the creative heart of a Leverkusen side that defied gravity in 2023-24, storming through the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal unbeaten.

Liverpool are closing in on a record £116million transfer for Florian Wirtz with the Bayer Leverkusen star expected to complete a dream move to Anfield imminently

Wirtz had grown up in a family that refused to compromise his development, nor that of his sister Juliane, who plays for Werder Bremen. His father Hans remains the chairman of Grun-Weiss Brauweiler, Wirtz's childhood was framed around the local football team. He grew up with a ball attached to his feet.

The deal, reportedly to cost over $150 million dollars, gives reigning Premier League champions Liverpool a marquee playmaker with versatility across the attacking parts of the pitch.