Florian Wirtz's move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool was one of the biggest deals of the summer transfer window.
The German attacking midfielder, who was a key part of Leverkusen's 2023/24 Bundesliga winning campaign, moved to The Reds for a club record fee at the time of £116m.
The Premier League club went on to top that transfer paying fee just months later with the £125m capture of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.
Wirtz' switch to Liverpool came as a slight surprise as he had previously been strongly linked with potential moves to Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Bayern have a reputation for snapping up the best German and Bundesliga talents, so the failure to sign Wirtz was a talking point.
The 22-year-old has started all of his new side's opening three Premier League fixtures, but he is yet to register a goal involvement despite impressing in spells for Arne Slot's team.
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Former German skipper feels Wirtz made the right move
Ex-Germany captain and Bayern midfielder Michael Ballack believes Wirtz' decision to come to the Premier League instead of remaining in the Bundesliga is part of a new worrying trend.
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"For Wirtz, Bayern were prepared to put together a package worth up to €100 million. (But) does it make sense for his development to play in the Bundesliga for Bayern for another two or three years?" he told Sport Bild.
"Of course he wins championships, but is the Bundesliga still a challenge for him at the highest level? No, the Bundesliga was overtaken by the Premier League years ago. That's the reality," Ballack explained.
The former Chelsea player then suggested that the German top division could struggle in years to come if things stay the same.
"(The Bundesliga is) generally no longer as attractive for the absolute top players. That's why changes are needed."
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