Liverpool have had a tough time securing their top targets in recent transfer windows.
Indeed, while the Reds have built a title-winning squad in recent years, they’ve not had it all their own way in the transfer market.
Liverpool have continuously missed out on key targets.
Liverpool wanted Martin Zubimendi last summer, but the Spaniard rejected the Reds and Zubimendi is now set to join Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool bid big for Moises Caicedo two years ago, but he joined Chelsea instead.
Now, Liverpool are looking at signing Florian Wirtz, and while a deal is said to be close, according to Ben Jacobs, speaking on The Done Deal Show, Liverpool have a nagging doubt over this deal.
Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images
Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images
Liverpool’s nagging doubt over Florian Wirtz
Jacobs shared what he knows about Wirtz and Liverpool.
According to the journalist, Liverpool are still cautious about this deal, believing that there’s still a possibility that Wirtz stays at Bayer Leverkusen for another year, in the same way Zubimendi did last summer.
“Everybody got excited, rightly so from a Liverpool point of view, because Wirtz had informed both Man City and Bayern that his preference was to go to Anfield,” Jacobs said.
“Despite that Liverpool have been cautious because they still sense there is a possibility, even if it’s not likely, that Wirtz stays at Leverkusen and does an extra year and moves in summer 2026.
“The reason Liverpool are cautious is because that’s the nature of how they do the deal, it was the same for Zubimendi,. With Wirtz it still required that club negotiation. Talks are advanced and it’s heading in a positive direction.
“There’s a realistic chance this gets done in the 1st to 10th of June window, and Wirtz becomes a Liverpool player, but there is that nagging doubt within the Liverpool hierarchy that says Leverkusen are not just going to bend over here, Leverkusen want an important fee.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s mass exodus
Liverpool have a nagging doubt, believing Wirtz may want to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another year.
Wirtz does have a strong affinity for Leverkusen, and it would make sense if he wanted to give the German side one more year.
Indeed, Leverkusen’s core has already been completely gutted this summer, and Wirtz may well feel a sense of duty to steady the ship a little bit before leaving.
Bayer Leverkusen departures Club joined
Jonathan Tah Bayern Munich
Jeremie Frimpong Liverpool
Xabi Alonso Real Madrid
Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Xabi Alonso have already left Leverkusen, while Piero Hincapie and Aleix Garcia have been linked with moves.
As the homegrown star player of the team, Wirtz may just feel that he owes Leverkusen another year, and that may scupper Liverpool’s transfer plans.
This deal isn’t quite done yet.