Florian Wirtz is edging closer to being confirmed as a new Liverpool player and reports in Germany have suggested that he has now completed his medical examinations.
Wirtz, 22, flew into the UK on Thursday ahead of finalizing his transfer to Anfield. The Germany ace is set to sign for the Reds for a fee that could reach $157 million (£116 million).
Bayer Leverkusen had been holding out for more for its star man, but the Reds have agreed a package that doesn't initially represent a British record fee. It is, though, the highest that Liverpool has ever paid for a player.
According to Sky Germany, Wirtz has now completed the necessary medical tests for the move to take place. It says that he should be announced as a new Liverpool player today.
"I think he’s the best player (Germany has) got," former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann said on theAldo Meets podcast this week. "Obviously he won’t be cheap, but I think he’s a player who makes other players better.
"[Fellow Germany international Jamal] Musiala likes to dribble, he likes to play on his own. But Wirtz is somebody, because if you look at the team now, Frimpong, I think he’s valued at 40 million, he’s coming for, he came to Leverkusen for probably half the money.
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates with fans after the DFB Cup quarterfinal match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FC Koln
"And part of the reason why all the team is now worth probably a double of what they were worth before is Wirtz, because he brings them into play.
"He’s got a great eye for his teammates, he’s got a brilliant touch, he can finish himself.
"And he always got an eye for the pass. Obviously one thing is seeing the pass, the other thing is executing. But he does both.
"For me, he’s probably the best player in Europe in the position at the moment. And he played in a team that finished, well, they were 16th or 17th when Alonso took over. So they end up winning the league the season after, this year they finished second.
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"Part of the reason, or the biggest reason, is Florian Wirtz. And if he comes to a team, which is even better than Leverkusen, I think it could be a perfect match.
"I don’t think it will take too long, if he does come here, which I think he will, before the punters love him here. And the thing, why I think he will be a success, is that he can look after himself. He’s like a street kid. So he won’t shirk a challenge.
"He will be looked after by his teammates, I’m pretty sure, because he will be one of the main players next season. But if he needs to, he can look after himself. And he won’t be worried, he won’t be afraid of any physical presence shown against him."