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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Tah and Wirtz linked with Bayern move</li><li>Leverkusen CEO advised Tah to stay put</li><li>Admits Wirtz could leave for record fee</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Don't join Bayern Munich! Bayer Leverkusen chief admits he told Jonathan Tah not to join Bundesliga rivals but admits Florian Wirtz could end up joining Harry Kane & Co

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich

Augsburg

Bayer Leverkusen

FC Heidenheim

<p>Centre-back Tah nearly joined Bayern this summer, only for a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jonathan-tah-bayern-munich-transfer-collapse-took-its-toll-on-him-bayer-leverkusen-determined-success/bltf8a6448ee3a6ca1a" target="_blank">move to collapse late on in the transfer window</a>. His team-mate and attacking midfielder Wirtz has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/florian-wirtz-bayern-munich-real-madrid-man-city-transfer-hopes/bltaf366d8c6168573e" target="_blank">linked with a Leverkusen exit as well</a> and while CEO Fernando Carro wants to keep the duo, and not strengthen a direct rival, they could both leave eventually.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He said on the <em>Phrasenmäher</em> podcast, via <a href="https://sport.sky.de/fussball/artikel/carro-moechte-wirtz-nicht-an-einen-bundesliga-konkurrenten-verkaufen/13235113/34130" target="_blank">Sky Germany</a>: "It goes without saying that we don't want to strengthen direct competitors in our own league with top players. Incidentally, I also said that directly to Jonathan Tah. I understand if you want to leave, but I would have preferred any club to one in Germany."</p><p>When asked if he could promise Wirtz wouldn't join Bayern, he said: "You can't promise anything in football. We would be happy if he stayed with us forever."</p><p>Carro added that there was a strong likelihood Wirtz would become the most expensive German transfer in history if he left. </p>

WHAT THE BAYER LEVERKUSEN CEO SAID

<p>Tah, 28, will be a free agent in 2025 and may head to Bayern at the end of the season, as the German defender is unlikely to sign a new deal at Leverkusen. Wirtz's contract runs until 2027, so the reigning Bundesliga champions have more negotiating power with the 21-year-old. But, if he does go, CEO Carro believes it will be a record fee for a German player - something that is held by Kai Havertz's 2020 move from Leverkusen to Chelsea for £71 million ($92m).</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Both Tah and Wirtz could be in action for Leverkusen, who sit fifth in the Bundesliga, in their next league match at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday afternoon.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Don't join Bayern Munich! Bayer Leverkusen chief admits he told Jonathan Tah not to join Bundesliga rivals but admits Florian Wirtz could end up joining Harry Kane & Co | Goal.com Cameroon

Bayer Leverkusen&apos;s CEO has revealed he told Jonathan Tah not to join Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, but admitted Florian Wirtz could head that way.

Don&apos;t join Bayern Munich! Bayer Leverkusen chief admits he told Jonathan Tah not to join Bundesliga rivals but admits Florian Wirtz could end up joining Harry Kane &amp; Co