Liverpool has smashed its Premier League transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz, a move that may remind fans of a leaked text from Fenway Sports Group outlining their previous market strategy. The Reds' $136 million plus $22 million in add-ons bid has been accepted by Bayer Leverkusen.
This deal surpasses the previous transfer record set when Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion for $156 million. It also outdoes Liverpool's own record set in January 2018 with the purchase of Virgil van Dijk.
German star Wirtz is highly regarded across Europe and was strongly linked with Manchester City and Bayern Munich. His imminent arrival signals a shift in approach from FSG, who were often hesitant to spend such sums in a single transfer window, let alone on one player.
Not so long ago, Liverpool supporters regularly accused FSG of being too timid to splash the cash on top-tier players. Their pursuit of Wirtz clearly indicates a loosening of the purse strings.
This is a significant boost for Liverpool fans, who have often been frustrated watching rivals like Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea consistently outspend the club..
In his early tenure at the club, ex-manager Jurgen Klopp publicly defended the owners. However, behind closed doors, the German made it clear that additional investment in the squad was crucial for trophy ambitions.
When Klopp took the helm at Liverpool, he found a middling team languishing in mid-table with a squad that was past its prime. The FSG hierarchy even went so far as to send him an apologetic text regarding the state of the squad.
Klopp shared this anecdote in 2021: "At the beginning I received a message from the US saying, 'Sorry for the squad we've given you.' But all was good I replied, it just needs time."
Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, embraces Liverpool principle owner John Henry as they celebrate the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England
The club are now heavily backing Slot in the transfer window (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Fast forward two years and Klopp was grimacing on the sidelines as his Liverpool side suffered a brutal 5-2 loss at Anfield to Real Madrid. Such a sobering defeat seemed to emphatically underline the need for decisive moves in the upcoming transfer window.
Only weeks before, Klopp had signalled the need for Liverpool to be more assertive in transfers, laying down a warning that they risked being overshadowed by both domestic and European competitors. He asserted: "I believe in coaching, I believe in developing, I believe in team-building and using those things 100%.
"But meanwhile in the world out there the managers are really good. There are so many good managers out there it's crazy. So they believe in that as well, and if they start really properly spending and do those things as well, then you cannot not spend or you will have a little bit of a problem."
Liverpool owner John W Henry on the phone next to his wife Linda Pizzuti Henry in the Anfield stands for Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, 27 Apr 2025
A single text message from the Liverpool owners sums up how far they have come (Image: Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)
In Klopp's final summer transfer window, the club heeded his advice and overhauled their midfield with the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. Post-Klopp, many were taken aback when Arne Slot only managed to bring in Federico Chiesa during his first two transfer windows.
However, after clinching the Premier League title, FSG has demonstrated a spending ambition typically associated with City, United and Chelsea. Their swift move for Wirtz underscores FSG's proactive approach and their newfound willingness to splash out on potential game-changers.
This summer has already seen the arrival of full-back Jeremie Frimpong, while Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, seems set to join as well. Clearly, Liverpool are keen to build on their title-winning season under Slot.
It's a stark contrast to the text message they sent to Klopp all those years ago.