Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool have finally come to an agreement on Florian Wirtz, who arrived in the UK for his medical on Thursday.
Liverpool had previously submitted offers amidst somewhat lengthy negotiations, made less stressful given the players’ clear preference to come to Merseyside. Wirtz’s club turned down both an offer worth £109 million and a subsequent one of £114 million before coming to a reported agreement on the figure of £116 million last week.
The fee structure would seemingly include £100 million outright with £16 million in potential add ons. Wirtz is expected to pen a five year deal with the Reds on around £200,000 a week.
Where Does Wirtz Fit In?
Wirtz scored 10 goals in 31 appearances for Leverkusen last season, also accruing 12 assists. (The club website helpfully links to videos of his goals if you’re so inclined.) The promising 22-year-old is thought to be a prize playmaker of the future, though it’s not immediately apparent how he’ll fit in at Arne Slot’s Liverpool. In Germany Wirtz was generally used as a left-sided 10, though was occasionally used centrally or out left — early money might well be on a false 9 role.
The tactics are an interesting question, because last season under Slot Dominik Szoboszlai saw the bulk of his efforts go to hard graft: both he and whoever functioned as a 9 were the pressing powerhouses of this Slot side, and had more heatmap contributions than they did high value shooting opportunities.
Though Wirtz would certainly be capable of doing this sort of work, it seems something of a waste of his assets. Naturally, Writz might be something of a transition player: Slot’s current set-up is all about Mohamed Salah. Next season we might see more diversity in attacking approach, and some signings now might be with an eye on a future where Salah himself (say it quietly) plays less of a role.
Liverpool will already be lacking creativity following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Wirtz will go some way into filling those gaps. Expect some tactical shifts ahead, both in terms of healthy transition and to reflect the change in personnel.