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Florian Wirtz alternative lined up as Premier League star called ahead of Liverpool transfer

Florian Wirtz is on the verge of joining Liverpool for a English transfer-record fee of £116.5m and his club Bayer Leverkusen will have significant funds to replace the playmaker

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16:57, 14 Jun 2025

Justin Kluivert

Bayer Leverkusen are weighing up Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert as a replacement for Florian Wirtz

Bayer Leverkusen are targeting a move for Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert as a potential replacement for Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, according to reports.

Liverpool have finally struck a £116.5million deal for Leverkusen's star playmaker after lengthy negotiations that saw three bids rejected, giving the Bundesliga a huge payday in what is a Premier League record buy.

Leverkusen, who have just appointed ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, will now be looking to redistribute some of that money into transfers and they should be able to make a few quality signings.

One of those signings could be Kluivert, who has been identified by Ten Hag as "the perfect profile" to step in for Wirtz in the attacking midfield role, as reported by talkSport. According to the outlet, the German side have called Bournemouth to enquire about the player.

Kluivert, the son of legendary Patrick, was one of the key figures behind Bournemouth's impressive season under Andoni Iraola as they finished ninth in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Liverpool receive shock Alisson transfer offer as goalkeeper makes decision on futureREAD MORE: 5 options for Liverpool's next transfer AFTER Florian Wirtz including Arsenal hijack

The 26-year-old managed 12 goals and six assists in the top flight and now has a series of teams monitoring his situation.

The report claims Bournemouth are not willing to sell Kluivert due to his importance to the team, having already lost key centre-back Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid and with Milos Kerkez on his way to Liverpool.

It goes on to say, however, that chief Bill Foley won't stand in any player's way if they receive an offer at the right price.

Justin Kluivert of AFC Bournemouth celebrates with team mate Milos Kerkez

Bournemouth are bracing for interest in a number of their players, with Milos Kerkez (L) headed for Liverpool

Antoine Semenyo is another Bournemouth player generating interest, having been linked with a move to Tottenham.

Kluivert cost around £9.6m when he joined Bournemouth from Roma in 2023, a huge bargain at the time, and he could now cost more than double that amount. He has played 75 times in the last two seasons, scoring 22.

Should he arrive at Leverkusen, he will have a tough task of replacing Wirtz, a man who seemingly has the world at his feet after scoring 16 goals for the German club last season, assisting another 13.

Wirtz has picked Liverpool over German rivals Bayern Munich and is set to become the latest player to arrive at Anfield this summer alongside Jeremie Frimpong, while Kerkez is expected to sign soon.

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