MUNICH (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz seemingly denied a report that he requested the No. 10 shirt atLiverpoolas part of talks over a potentially record-breaking transfer. In rare public comments from the player whose fee could break the English Premier League record,Wirtzresponded to a report from broadcaster Sky Germany on Tuesday that he would like to keep wearing No. 10 if he moves to Liverpool. That number was worn this season by midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, a World Cup winner with Argentina, and is a storied shirt at Liverpool. Previous players to wear the No. 10 include club greats like John Barnes, Michael Owen, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané. "Who says I want the 10," Wirtz wrote on Instagram late Tuesday, "I respect players." "Don't believe everything what's written," he added with a clown emoji. The Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder is reportedly nearing a move to Premier League champion Liverpool after turning down interest from Bayern Munich. Liverpool has already signed his Leverkusen teammateJeremie Frimpong, a Dutch right back. Any agreement for Wirtz could break the British record of 106.7 million pounds (then $131.4 million) thatChelsea agreed to pay Benficafor Enzo Fernández in early 2023. Wirtz is set to play for Germany on Wednesday in itsNations League semifinalagainst Portugal in Munich. ___ AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer