Liverpool are willing to fight Bayern Munich and Real Madrid for the rising PSV midfielder Paul Wanner, according to the latest transfer news. The Reds want fresh options in midfield ahead of the January window.
Liverpool join race for PSV star Paul Wanner
As reported by TEAMtalk, Liverpool have joined Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the race for Paul Wanner. Manchester City have also shown interest, but Bayern hold a special buyback option that could shape the whole deal. He featured eight times for the Bavarian outfit before being sent out on loan, first to Elversberg and then to Heidenheim, to get regular game time. A permanent move to PSV followed in 2025, where he swiftly nailed down a starting spot.
The Austrian midfielder has impressed in Dutch football since his move, helping PSV win the Eredivisie title in his first full season. He scored four goals in all competitions across that campaign and became one of the league’s most promising performers.
Across 22 league appearances he posted three goals, three assists, and an average match rating of 7.0 He also chose to represent Austria at senior level this year, having previously represented Germany at youth level, giving him a fresh international platform to build his profile on.
Wanner’s stats in the 2025-26 season at PSV, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Chances created Defensive contributions
Eredivisie 22 3 3 23 65
KNVB Cup 4 2 1 6 10
UCL 6 0 0 2 12
EURO-21 5 0 1 4 1
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Bayern’s buyback clause could complicate the deal
Paul Wanner’s price tag at PSV is said to sit in the €45-50m range, roughly £38-43m. Any final fee could also depend on performance bonuses and a future sell-on clause. PSV want to keep him at the club, but they may listen to offers if the terms are strong enough. Bayern’s option to re-sign him remains one of the biggest factors here, since it gives them a clear edge over their rivals, according to a Polish outlet Sportowy.
Real Madrid’s interest adds another layer to an already crowded race, with the Spanish giants known for moving quickly once talks reach an advanced stage. From a tactical standpoint, Wanner’s ability to carry the ball through midfield and pick out late runners makes him attractive to sides who like quick transitions, which fits how several of these clubs like to play.
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Liverpool’s midfield plans for the Premier League season
Liverpool let Curtis Jones go in the summer, a departure that has left Iraola with thinner options through the middle of the park. That leaves the head coach short of depth heading into a demanding Premier League campaign. The head coach is said to have been impressed by teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni’s performances. Nyoni could soon push for a more regular starting role at Anfield over the coming months. There’s also been talk of Szoboszlai being pushed further forward into a more advanced role this term. That comes amid questions over Florian Wirtz’s recent form following the goalless draw with Fulham.
Liverpool’s fixture list will only get tougher from here, with Champions League games arriving thick and fast. Liverpool’s front three and defence have already received heavy investment across several recent transfer windows. Midfield now looks like the area of the squad needing reinforcement most heading into the new year. Adding a player like Wanner would give Iraola more balance and depth in that area. That depth matters even more with Liverpool competing hard across multiple fronts for the rest of this season.
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