MOMENTS AGO: After Florian Wirtz’s offer was turned down, Liverpool might have to pay the largest transfer fee in British history.
Liverpool’s ambitious pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has encountered a significant hurdle, as the German club has rejected a substantial £109 million bid from the Reds. Leverkusen is steadfast in their valuation, demanding £126 million for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder—a fee that would set a new British transfer record, surpassing Chelsea’s £115 million acquisition of Moisés Caicedo in 2023.
Wirtz, a standout performer in the Bundesliga, has expressed a preference for a move to Liverpool, effectively eliminating Manchester City and Bayern Munich from contention. Personal terms between Wirtz and Liverpool are reportedly agreed upon, but the two clubs remain apart on the transfer fee. Leverkusen is open to negotiations that might include Liverpool players Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah as part of the deal. Both Elliott and Quansah had limited Premier League appearances in the 2024/25 season, primarily serving as squad players.
Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz aligns with their strategy to rejuvenate the squad under new manager Arne Slot. The club has already secured Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen for £29.5 million, a move that coincided with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid. Additionally, Liverpool is preparing bids for Bournemouth’s £45 million-rated left-back Milos Kerkez and Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, contingent on potential departures of current players like Luis Díaz.
Financially, Liverpool is also managing outgoing transfers to balance their expenditures. Backup goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher is set to join Brentford for £18 million, replacing Mark Flekken, who is expected to move to Leverkusen .
Wirtz’s performance statistics underscore his value. In the 2023/24 season, he scored 18 goals and provided multiple assists, maintaining excellent form into the current season with seven goals already. Advanced metrics place him among the top 2% of attacking midfielders in Europe for progressive passes and shot-creating actions.