Liverpool make €130m bid for Florian Wirtz as Frimpong closes in on Reds switch
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is the subject of a bid from Liverpool.
Liverpool have made a club-record bid of £109m (€130m) to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, the Germany international whom Arne Slot wants to maintain his team’s superiority in the Premier League and enhance their prospects of winning the Champions League.
Liverpool moved quickly to open talks with Leverkusen over their prized asset once it became clear he would not be joining Bayern Munich. Manchester City were also interested in the 22-year-old but withdrew because of the financial package involved.
The news comes on the same day Liverpool agreed to let Trent Alexander-Arnold join Real Madrid when the transfer window opens on Sunday in a deal that will be worth £10m to the Premier League champions. They are close to signing Jeremie Frimpong, also from Leverkusen, as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement.
Liverpool’s offer for Wirtz would rise to £109m (€130m) with add-ons, but it remains to be seen whether that will break Leverkusen’s resolve. They valued Wirtz, who can play across the front line, at £126m (€150m) when Bayern made their approach. Wirtz, capped 29 times by Germany, is understood to be keen on joining Liverpool for a fresh challenge after five years in the Bundesliga.
Madrid reopened talks with Liverpool this week about signing Alexander-Arnold for the Club World Cup, which starts on 14 June. His Liverpool contract is due to expire on 30 June and the Spanish giants had initially proposed an £850,000 deal to sign him early. That was rejected.
However, a deal has now been reached whereby Real will pay Liverpool a one-off €10m fee to cancel the right-back’s contract 29 days early. They will also cover Alexander-Arnold’s wages for the month of June. That means the total deal is worth £10m to Liverpool. The 26-year-old’s registration will be transferred to Madrid on Sunday.
Liverpool could have banked £20m for the homegrown defender had they accepted Real’s first approach in late December. But the club prioritised the team’s pursuit of the title under Arne Slot, with Alexander-Arnold playing an important part in the successful mission.
“Liverpool FC can confirm an offer has been accepted for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Real Madrid for his transfer upon the opening of the June transfer window,” read a club statement.
“Liverpool will receive a fee for his services, with the deal to be concluded once the window opens on 1 June. Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes.”
Frimpong should shortly join Liverpool for £30m. The 24-year-old, who can operate at right-back or on the right wing, has passed medicals on Merseyside and agreed personal terms.
There is interest, too, in the Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who is valued at £45m. The champions are also expected to move for another striker, especially should Luis Díaz or Darwin Núñez move on this summer with both forwards attracting interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.