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

Centre-back Tah nearly joined Bayern this summer, only for a move to collapse late on in the transfer window. His team-mate and attacking midfielder Wirtz has been linked with a Leverkusen exit as well and while CEO Fernando Carro wants to keep the duo, and not strengthen a direct rival, they could both leave eventually.

He said on the Phrasenmäher podcast, via Sky Germany: "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."

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."

Carro added that there was a strong likelihood Wirtz would become the most expensive German transfer in history if he left.

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).

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.