All the latest transfer news from the Premier League champions as Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks to build from a position of strength and sign the golden boy of German football Florian Wirtz
09:00, 24 May 2025Updated 09:15, 24 May 2025
Florian Wirtz is widely regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet
Florian Wirtz is widely regarded as one of the best footballers on the planet(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are gearing up for a weekend of celebrations to mark their historic 20th league title win - but there may be even more for fans to cheer in the coming days besides silverware.
The conclusion of the Reds' last game of the season against Crystal Palace at Anfield -following an incredible debut campaign for manager Arne Slot - will see captain Virgil van Dijk lift the Premier League trophy, after it is presented to him by fellow defensive legend Alan Hansen.
The party won't stop on Sunday evening, because the following day one of the biggest parades English football has ever seen will take place across the city, with more than a million supporters expected to line the streets - a spectacle befitting the most successful club in English football history.
But the champions have shown no signs of resting on their laurels, with a flurry of transfer activity over the last week culminating in the Premier League giants emerging as the favourites to sign the golden boy of German football, Florian Wirtz.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder's performances led Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title in 2023/24. Known for his tremendous technique, dribbling ability and creativity, the young superstar has registered 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen, meaning he is directly involved in a goal every 117 minutes.
Florian Wirtz in action for Bayer Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz in action for Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Getty Images)
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Widely has long been seen as a top priority for German giants Bayern Munich. But last week it was revealed he had travelled to the North West to meet representatives of both Liverpool and Manchester City.
At that stage, many believed Wirtz moving to Bayern was a mere formality. However, in the days since, it has become clear Leverkusen would rather sell him abroad than strengthen a domestic rival and that Wirtz and his family were having second thoughts about making the switch to Munich.
After City conceded defeat and dropped out of the race for his signature, it became a battle between the two continental giants - both six time European Cup winners. And claims surfaced Wirtz was hugely impressed by the vision sold to him by Slot, in contrast to underwhelming discussions with Bayern manager Vincent Kompany.
Late on Friday afternoon, David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Bayern now believed Wirtz was on course for a switch to England and that the Germany international "favours Liverpool".
Following reports that the player had also been "house hunting" in the North West of England, it seemed the Reds might be in pole position to pull off a stunning coup for one of the most sought-after talents in world football.
Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg then reported that Wirtz had given Liverpool his verbal commitment on Friday, having turned down Bayern and shown his ambition to play outside of his homeland and prove himself at the highest level in the Premier League.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the champions of England have now made initial contact with Leverkusen over Wirtz, as they look to put the wheels in motion for a blockbuster transfer this summer window. And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Wirtz has informed Leverkusen of his desire to join Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz with Xabi Alonso in April 2025
Florian Wirtz with Xabi Alonso in April 2025(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool are now said to be in direct contact with Bayer over a deal that could smash the club's transfer record, the £64m potentially rising to £85m paid to land Darwin Nunez from Benfica in June 2022.
Wirtz comes with a hefty price tag of around £125m, with the cost of financing the deal claimed to have been the reason behind City's decision to walk away, as they plot a rebuild under Pep Guardiola this summer following a disastrous campaign.It's understood an agreement is not yet close between Liverpool and Leverkusen, but Wirtz if secured would move in what would likely make him the most expensive German footballer ever and a record British transfer, eclipsing the £115m Chelsea paid for defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Speaking about Wirtz in his final press conference as Leverkusen manager and former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso said: "Flo is one of the top players in the world. He is world-class. Flo has a very mature mind. The people around him, his parents, they want the best for him."They are in a very important moment of his career. Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo, and I will be happy for him. Let's wait a little bit. It's normal in football that there are rumours, especially with such a special player."