Liverpool will reportedly have to smash their transfer record to bring the in-demand Florian Wirtz to Anfield this summer.
Paul Joyce of The Times reports that the Reds are showing "strong interest" in the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen attacker, but Bayern Munich are also eager to sign him. The two European giants will likely be embraced in a two-horse race after Manchester City dropped out of the battle for the German.
Wirtz is one of Europe's most exciting attacking midfield talents who has lit up the Bundesliga at BayArena. He has two years left on his contract but a departure is expected in the upcoming transfer window.
Liverpool Must Break The Bank For Wirtz
They will have to smash their transfer record
florian wirtz bayer leverkusen
Leverkusen are said to have slapped a staggering £126.3 million (€150 million) price tag on Wirtz. Bayern are favourites to sign him but Liverpool are also pursuing the 29-cap Germany international ahead of a "big summer" at Anfield.
To complete a deal, the Reds are required to pay more than the club-record £75 million they spent on signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018. If they meet Leverkusen's valuation, they will also break the Premier League's transfer record set by Chelsea when they signed Moises Caicedo for £115 million two summers ago.
Wirtz is highly sought after thanks to his versatile attacking profile. He can play in attacking midfield, up top in attack, and out wide. He was an integral part of Xabi Alonso's side that won the Bundesliga title unbeaten in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 11 goals and 12 assists.
Florian Wirtz in the Bundesliga (2024-25)
Appearances:
Goals:
Assists:
Big chances created:
Key passes:
Balls recovered per game:
Successful dribbles:
Ground duels won:
Aerial duels won:
Liverpool's interest came to light after Bayern's president Uli Hoeness claimed that his entourage were in the Merseyside city despite previous claims of a meeting with Manchester City. The Reds have played down this, but they are evidently keen on winning the race for one of German football's most exciting talents, once dubbed "unstoppable".
Wirtz's teammate Jeremie Frimpong is close to becoming the club's first summer signing, having undergone a medical ahead of a move to Anfield. The newly-crowned Premier League champions triggered the £30m release clause in his Leverkusen contract.
All stats courtesy ofSofaScore- correct as of 21.05.2025.
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