Bayern Munich appear to be imploding behind the scenes as the club’s chiefs play the blame game over their failed pursuit of Florian Wirtz. The Bundesliga champions were in the mix to land the attacker but look set to miss out on his signature to Liverpool.

Germany's Rhineland clubs - namely Leverkusen, Koln and Borussia Monchengladbach - were all reported to have a gentleman's agreement not to 'steal' one another's youth talent, dating back to 2001, when Koln tracked and signed Leverkusen's then-12-year-old starlet Marco Quotschalla with the lure of an eight-year contract.

Florian Wirtz wants to join Liverpool but his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen could take ‘a while’, according to Germany’s sporting director Rudi Voller. Liverpool have been unable to reach an agreement with Leverkusen over a deal for the 22-year-old,