All the latest Liverpool news as Arne Slot welcomes one of the most exciting young players to Anfield
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Florian Wirtz of Germany looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2025 third place match between Germany and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 8, 2025
Florian Wirtz during Germany's clash against France(Image: Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Liverpool have been commended for agreeing a deal for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City and Bayern Munich for a while before the Reds swooped in and secured the deal.
The ECHO understands Liverpool have reached an agreement with the Bundesliga outfit to make Wirtz the club's most expensive player of all time. The Premier League champions will pay Leverkusen an initial £100m, plus £16m in add-ons, smashing their current record by more than £30m.
In 2022, Liverpool forked out £85m to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica, with £21m made up of add-ons fees. The ECHO understands Wirtz will complete his move to Anfield once the transfer window reopens next week.
The Germany international will now undergo a medical. So, with that being said, the ECHO has rounded up what has been said about Wirtz and his record-breaking move to Liverpool in foreign media outlets.
Bild – Germany
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Karl-Heinz Riedle and Erik Meijer, who both previously left the Bundesliga to join Liverpool in 1997 and 1999, respectively, backed Wirtz to live up to expectations at Anfield.
Riedle said: "Even in my time, Liverpool were cool. Jürgen Klopp has transformed the club into something completely new. Liverpool has so much quality up front; it's a gift for any number 10 to be able to play in this team.
"Florian Wirtz has outstanding playing potential, and on top of that, he's strong in tackling, which will help him in England. Florian is now taking a big step in his career.
"He will be a huge hit with the fans and his style of play," added the former Liverpool striker. "He is an exceptional player. Florian is a once-in-a-century talent like we've never had before."
Meijer said: "I didn't have Florian's quality. I had to get used to the pace first and was often glad when the first half was called off. Florian has to get used to the pace quickly, and the opponents will also be stronger.
"The pressure is there; he has to deliver. But I'm not worried about him at all. Especially since the quality of the players alongside him is even higher than those at Leverkusen."
On why Slot signed Wirtz, the former Reds striker said: "He wants him because Florian is an attacking player who can work the interfaces and play the interfaces. Liverpool likes to do that."
Footmercato – France
In France, Footmercato journalist Matthieu Margueritte heaped praise on Liverpool for wrapping up the deal. He said: "For Liverpool, this is obviously a very good sporting operation, as the Merseyside club has acquired one of the best young players in the world of football.
"The Reds have also secured a record, as this operation will simply become the most expensive transfer in the history of the Premier League, ahead of those of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea (€121 million) and Jack Grealish to Manchester City (€117.5 million)."
CBS Sports – United States
Across the pond in the United States, James Benge described Wirtz as the heir to Mohamed Salah. In a column for CBS Sports, the journalist said: "For nine figures Liverpool are getting themselves options but more than that, they are acquiring the reference point for their future attack.
"Since that summer's day in 2022 when Salah signed the contract before his current one, one of the most significant questions hanging over Anfield has been what happens when the Egyptian King reaches the end of his imperial phase. That has been answered.
"The crown passes to Wirtz, who found in his early 20s that the regalia fits him well. If the path of his career so far is anything to go on, a high-profile move and the task of succeeding a club great should only bring the best out of Wirtz."