The latest Liverpool transfer news as the Reds are in negotiations with German side Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for Florian Wirtz this summer
Comments
Sport
Florian Wirtz before a Bayer Leverkusen match
Liverpool are in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for Florian Wirtz.
(Image: Jan Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Liverpool could make a big statement in the summer transfer window as they aim to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table next season.
After what was a relatively quiet window this time last year, the Reds look set to back Arne Slot following their Premier League title win. Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong looks to be closing in on a move to Anfield, while the Reds have also been linked with a move for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
Another name to be heavily linked with the club is Florian Wirtz. Liverpool appear to have moved ahead of their rivals in the race for the highly-rated 22-year-old Leverkusen star.
READ MORE: Why Florian Wirtz 'rejected' Man City as Liverpool in pole position to secure £126m transferREAD MORE: Hugo Ekitike has clear run at dream Liverpool shirt number if £38m exit sanctioned
The attacking midfielder has caught the eye with his performances for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. The season just gone has seen him score ten goals and provide 13 assists in 31 appearances in the Bundesliga.
It is no surprise, then, that teams are showing an interest. Here’s a look at the latest on a potential move to Liverpool:
Real Madrid ‘hope’ claim
Reports in Spain claim that Real Madrid haven’t lost ‘hope’ of signing Wirtz this summer, despite Liverpool being the heavy favourites for the player.
AS claim that the arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager will give the Spanish giants hope of beating Liverpool to the signing. Wirtz worked under Alonso during the manager’s time at Leverkusen with him bringing the best out of the player following his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Real are described as not ‘throwing in the towel’ on a potential deal just yet.
Bayer Leverkusen negotiations
As reported by the ECHO over the weekend, Liverpool have began negotiations with Leverkusen for the player. The deal could smash the club’s current transfer record of £75 million.
It is said that the German club value Wirtz at around £125m. That asking price is reported to be one of the reasons that Man City, who had previously been linked, walked away from the deal.
As of the weekend, it was understood that an agreement between the two club was not yet close.
Liverpool interest confirmed
Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has confirmed Liverpool’s interest in the player
"[Wirtz is] one of our players," Rolfes said, via The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor. "Naturally, there’s a lot of interest. There’s concrete interest from Liverpool."
"We just want good players and ideally you sign them as soon as you can."
Bayern Munich admission
Speaking at a fan festival event at Bayern Park over the weekend, Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer appeared to rule his club out of the transfer race. On Saturday ,he said: "Max Eberl (Bayern director of sport) informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will transpire with Leverkusen."