Liverpool are usually very quick to get their transfer sagas wrapped up.
Indeed, Fabinho was signed within hours of those rumours emerging, Alexis Mac Allister was signed on day one of the summer transfer window two years ago, while Dominik Szoboszlai was also signed with minimum fuss.
However, Liverpool’s move for Florian Wirtz appears to be dragging on and on.
Liverpool were first linked with Wirtz a month ago, while it’s been three weeks since Wirtz picked Liverpool as his preferred option.
Now, a deal is close to being done, but according to Ben Jacobs, speaking on The Done Deal Show, this transfer isn’t confirmed yet, and there’s only one aspect of the deal agreed.
Image of Florian Wirtz in action for Germany
Image of Florian Wirtz in action for Germany Credit: Getty Images/Christina Pahnke – sampics/Corbis
Liverpool set to pay £100m up front for Florian Wirtz
According to Jacobs, the terms to bring Florian Wirtz to Liverpool are yet to be finalised.
Jacobs says that Wirtz will become a Liverpool player, but there are still negotiations to be done regarding add-ons and bonuses.
The journalist says that the only absolutely confirmed aspect of this deal is that Liverpool will pay a base fee of £100m for Wirtz, but all other aspects of the deal still need to be nailed down.
“I’m not contradicting what Fabrizio says, who I have great respect for. My info is that the only absolutely confirmed thing at the moment is that Liverpool will pay a guaranteed £100m and then everything else will be finalised, likely quickly,” Jacobs said.
“No medical booked yet, but it’s been clear for some time that Florian Wirtz will join Liverpool. Now the clubs are just hoping to wrap the deal up as quickly as possible.”
Liverpool’s record transfers
Even at a base fee of £100m, Florian Wirtz will become the most expensive player in Liverpool’s history.
Indeed, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have all broken the £100m barrier in the Premier League, Liverpool are yet to secure a transfer that large.
Liverpool’s record transfers Fee
1. Darwin Nunez £85m
2. Virgil van Dijk £75m
3. Alisson £65m
4. Dominik Szoboszlai £60m
5. Naby Keita £53m
Darwin Nunez is currently Liverpool’s record signing, and the Reds will be hoping that Wirtz proves to be a better investment than Nunez.
Indeed, Nunez is set to be sold this summer after making minimal impact at Anfield over the past three years and Wirtz will hopefully have a stronger and more long-term impact.
Liverpool are about to spend £100m on a transfer for a first time, and Wirtz will certainly arrive at Anfield with huge expectations.