Florian Wirtz is reportedly scouring the housing market on Merseyside in a hint that he could join Liverpool this summer. Bayern Munich are also hot on the German's heels, and it has developed into a tense two-horse race after Manchester City pulled out due to concerns about the cost of the deal.
Wirtz has reached double figures for goals and assists in the Bundesliga for the second season in a row. At 22 years old, the attacking midfielder has surpassed 220 games and 60 goals for club and country. And another impressive campaign will assure his suitors that he is primed to stay at the top level for years to come.
Bayern were presumed to be in pole position to sign Wirtz amid rumours that the player's family had 'given their word' that he would move to the Allianz Arena either this summer or next. But interest from newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool has thrown a spanner in the works.
According to Bild, Bayern chiefs are beginning to 'fear' Liverpool, and Wirtz is already looking for houses in the north-west. The youngster's family met with senior Reds figures on a trip earlier this month which also saw him visit City's training ground.
And there could be an opportunity for them to go in for the kill, as the report adds that Bayern are refusing to meet Bayer Leverkusen's transfer demands, which include an eye-watering fee of £126million.
The £84m Bayern are reportedly willing to pay falls well short of Leverkusen's expectations. And if Liverpool are prepared to slap nine figures on the table, their Munich-based transfer rivals risk being priced out.
Bayern chiefs are not prepared to go down without a fight, however. Honorary president Uli Hoeness is understood to be planning a meeting with the Wirtz family at his house, where they hope to break ground and 'do a deal' ahead of Liverpool.
This promises to be a big summer transfer window for the Reds, with manager Arne Slot primed to capitalise on his debut-season title victory.
Liverpool have largely saved their cash since the Dutchman was appointed. Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili are the only signings to command a transfer fee in the past 12 months. On top of that, Anfield bosses have expensive assets to sell, with Darwin Nunez, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah and Luis Diaz among those who could be moved on at the end of the season.