After Liverpool opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz, four distinct factors look to have just seen Arne Slot win the race for the highly coveted playmaker
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Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen looks on during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund at BayArena
Four clear factors could reportedly convince Florian Wirtz to join Liverpool after holding talks
(Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
With Liverpool having now held talks with Florian Wirtz and successfully turned his head, four factors have emerged from his discussions with the club that appear to have proved pivotal. The Reds are now clear frontrunners to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star, provided Liverpool can still strike a deal with his club, who are asking for up to £126million.
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich were heavily interested in signing the German from their Bundesliga rivals, but manager Vincent Kompany and his champions have reportedly been turned down by Wirtz. Kompany's former club, Manchester City, have also been in the hunt but pulled out of the race themselves after it was claimed they baulked at the finances required to seal a deal.
So it's just as well Wirtz is invested in Arne Slot's project, having reportedly sat down with Liverpool in recent days. The Times reported on the outcome of those discussions with Slot in particular, which is believed to have left the young talent convinced his continued development is best served at Anfield. Meanwhile, he has also bought into the big ambition displayed by the Premier League champions, who will want to build on the strong foundations set by Slot in his debut campaign in English football.
Another benefit for Wirtz is how Slot recognises his versatility that he has displayed in Leverkusen and has proven at Anfield he can utilise that, having done similar things with the likes of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, who have each played in more than one position this season. Lastly, it looks like he'll have at least one familiar face on Merseyside as Jeremie Frimpong prepares to complete his own summer transfer.
It's easy to forget Wirtz is still just 22 despite living in the European spotlight for a number of years and already being a key player for his national team. It was back in 2020 that the player broke records as Leverkusen's youngest-ever player and the youngest scorer in Bundesliga history at just 17.
The youngster scored 16 goals and recorded 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season. Bayern's Michael Olise was the only other player in the Bundesliga to reach double digits in both goals and assists, while only four other players had more direct goal involvements, three of whom are strikers.
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz with head coach Xabi Alonso.
The Leverkusen gem has excelled under the management of Reds legend Xabi Alonso
Nonetheless, the player is far from reaching his ceiling just yet, and that vision for what's to come forms a vital part of the Liverpool appeal. Firstly in regards to his own growth, but secondly in how the club has apparently convinced him of their ambitions on the wider scale.
The current Reds squad is dotted with talents who also moved to Anfield in their early 20s and have moved onto new heights since then. The likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai each moved to the club at similar points in their careers and are now key members of the team, not to mention homegrown examples like Curtis Jones and Conor Bradley.
It stands to reason that Wirtz should see that track record of building around youth and see how it benefits him. And as aforementioned, this also applies to the grander project at Liverpool and how the club is in good stead to thrive for years to come.
Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates after scoring the first goal with Jeremie Frimpong
Wirtz is known to be close friends with Jeremie Frimpong, who is on the verge of joining Liverpool
Stylistically, there are a number of positions in which Wirtz could slot under Slot, though it may take time to find his optimal role. Xabi Alonso used the player largely as a No. 10 for much of his time at the Leverkusen helm, though he's also impressed off the left and right flanks, as well as in a false 9 role.
That same willingness to experiment has seen the likes of Diaz, Jota and Gakpo excel on Merseyside. Not to mention the fact Slot has exhibited the ability to use those players outside their usual positions and still get results.
Perhaps less pertinent than those other points but almost as important is Liverpool's pursuit of Netherlands full-back Frimpong. The Manchester City academy graduate is understood to be on the verge of a return to England after passing his medical in lieu of a £30million move.
The Times mentioned how Wirtz and Frimpong have grown close in recent years and sat beside one another in the dressing room. Frimpong, 24, also gave Wirtz lifts to training before the latter passed his driving test, and having that bond ready-made at Anfield would pay dividends.