Florian Wirtz
Image Credits: Getty Images
Widespread reports broke this Friday that Liverpool had finally struck an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the transfer of Florian Wirtz to Anfield.
The Merseyside club has agreed to pay a British record fee of £116 million for the 22-year-old, with the package consisting of an initial £100 million guaranteed payment plus an additional £16 million in performance-related add-ons.
Should all bonuses be triggered, the deal would surpass the current British transfer record held by Moises Caicedo’s £115 million move from Brighton to Chelsea in 2023.
According to German publication BILD, the transfer fee structure breaks down as follows: approximately £106 million has been firmly agreed, with a further £13 million available through realistic bonus targets, and an additional £8.5 million could be added if challenging goals such as Champions League victory are achieved.
The vast majority of the £16 million in add-ons is linked to Liverpool winning major trophies with Wirtz.
While the agreement between clubs has been reached, the transfer’s completion has been delayed.
Wirtz is currently on holiday following Germany’s UEFA Nations League duties and is not expected to return until Wednesday, June 18 – with the medical scheduled in the days after his return.
And if Reds fans needed anymore convincing that Wirtz wanted Liverpool only, Bundesliga insider Christian Falk has revealed that Wirtz could have earned more at Bayern Munich.
Reporting for the Daily Briefing, the German reporter claimed that Wirtz will be forgoing €2million per year if he was to accept the offer the Bavarian giants had for him:
“The Florian Wirtz issue is, of course, a defeat for FC Bayern,” he began.
“Liverpool have convinced the player above all that he has a clear sporting role.
“Interesting fact: Wirtz could have earned up to €24m more at FC Bayern. At Liverpool, it is more likely to be €20m-22m. So it was not a decision based on money.”
Across a five-year deal at Anfield, it means he has forgone earnings of up to €20m if calculated with more conservative reports of his wage on Merseyside.
The deal’s completion will mark a significant statement of intent from Fenway Sports Group, who have backed manager Arne Slot and are not making the same mistake of resting on their laurels as was the case in 2019/20.
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