Bayer Leverkusen are “trying to get a player out of Liverpool” as part of the deal for Florian Wirtz, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.
Providing an update on the German’s transfer to Anfield, the journalist raised the possibility of a part-exchange deal:
“Offers are being sent back and forth between Liverpool and Leverkusen. Leverkusen are trying to get a player out of Liverpool and you can assume an agreement will possibly be reached this week for the transfer of Wirtz.
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Liverpool supporters on X have been debating which player should be sent in the other direction as part of the Wirtz transfer:
Who’d want to go play for Ten Hag ?
— Martin Coleman (@EmseeHammered) May 29, 2025
It's Elliot isn't it
— Szøbø (@Szobolfc08) May 29, 2025
Send whoever they want🤣
— Truls (@TrulsNicolai) May 29, 2025
Quansah
Elliott
Jota
Morton
Choice is yours, @bayer04fussball !
— Nishat Ahmed (@Nishat7Ahmed) May 29, 2025
Probably Elliot and to be honest I think he’ll thrive there, he is a really good player, I still believe he can thrive at Liverpool given proper opportunity and played in his favoured position, I’ve seen enough from him to know there’s a brilliant player in him
— Boggo_7 (@7_boggo) May 29, 2025
Elliot or Nunez pack your bags
— Unbiasedly Biased (@doonie_demon) May 29, 2025
Jarrel, Harvey and down price to 80m.
— Esso Atichart (@AtichartEsso) May 29, 2025
Which players would Liverpool be prepared to swap?
As several fans have mentioned, Harvey Elliott would be the prime candidate. He has strongly hinted that he is considering his future, having struggled for game time under Arne Slot this campaign.
Jarell Quansah, Tyler Morton and Diogo Jota would probably be the other options, with the trio having been tipped for permanent exits.
The Wirtz deal is taking a while to finalise
The Reds were hoping to conclude an agreement for the player pretty swiftly in order to avoid a potential hijack from another team. However, Leverkusen are sticking to their guns.
€150m (£126m) was their original asking price, and if including a player in the deal speeds up negotiations, the Merseyside club would be wise to do it.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano confirms Liverpool are closing in on a 3rd summer transfer