Florian Wirtz is set to join Liverpool this summer, although an official announcement is yet to be made. While Wirtz's former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong has finalized his move to Anfield, the German international remains in his homeland for now.
Liverpool is prepared to splash out on the Germany international, who was a standout performer in Leverkusen's undefeated Bundesliga campaign in 2023-24. The total fee, inclusive of add-ons, will set a new Premier League record at $157 million.
Leverkusen tried to drive a hard bargain over the fee, but Wirtz is expected to kick off the 2025-26 season as a Liverpool player - and for less than the fee initially asked by the selling club. It's understood that the delay is due to the playmaker currently being on holiday.
The next formal steps are anticipated to occur upon Wirtz's return, which could see proceedings accelerate. Liverpool hadn't been as eager as some of its Premier League competitors to seal the deal, given it is not participating in the Club World Cup.
Wirtz is set to become Arne Slot's third new signing this summer. Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili have already sealed their moves, while Liverpool have offset some of their summer expenditure by selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford.
Liverpool's approach stands in contrast to fellow competitors Chelsea and Manchester City, who both capitalised on the early June transfer window designed to strengthen squads for the tournament in the United States.
Liam Delap of Chelsea
Liam Delap has joined Chelsea (Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea has bolstered its team for the Club World Cup, bringing in Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr, although Estevao Willian will only join post-tournament.
Manchester City has made significant additions too, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri joining the ranks, and Marcus Bettinelli coming in from Chelsea to fill Scott Carson's shoes.
Liverpool is keeping tabs on Bundesliga talent this summer, with Wirtz on their list, but a move for Hugo Ekitike is less certain, as Eintracht Frankfurt's Markus Krosche remains resolute on the $115m-rated forward's future.
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"If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us. We don't have to sell Hugo," Krosche stated to German media regarding the ex-Paris Saint-Germain striker, who has also caught Chelsea's eye.
Chelsea missed out on securing the Frenchman for its Club World Cup squad, with the special transfer window closing on June 10.
The regular summer window opens on Monday, offering Premier League clubs a two-month period to enhance their line-ups before the season kicks off.