Florian Wirtz (Florian Wirtz Liverpool
Image Credits: Getty Images
Bayer Leverkusen are not looking to let go of their crown jewel without a big payday it seems.
On Friday, we brought forth reports from Germany that Liverpool made an offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz of £100m plus £10-£12m in add-ons (€130.5m-€133m).
The 22-year-old has contributed 16 goals and 15 assists from 45 appearances in the recent season past, maintaining a goal involvement every 109.4 minutes.
His Champions League debut campaign yielded six goals in nine appearances, with the remarkable achievement of being named man of the match in five of his first nine UEFA Champions League outings.
Wirtz is viewed as the creative force Liverpool need, especially as the club looks to add attacking invention to replace the influence of Trent Alexander-Arnold in advanced areas.
But it would seem that Liverpool’s second offer is not enough to convince the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions.
BILD report that the offer has been rejected by the Bundesliga side:
“Bayer has rejected LFC’s latest offer. As BILD exclusively reported on Friday, Liverpool is offering a Mega total package of just over 130 million euros. Too little for Leverkusen.”
“Although the English have entered the negotiations at a high level, an agreement is currently still a long way off.”
“There is still no agreement between Liverpool and Liverpool or Wirtz’s medical check. LFC is trying to reduce the total package to 135 million euros.”
“Bayer continues to gamble on the desired sum of 150 million euros. It is unclear whether the difference to the current Liverpool offer should be achieved as a fixed sum or easily achievable bonuses.”
It is also claimed that Die Werkself have made it clear that including a player in the deal is not currently on the agenda in negotiations.
This suggests Liverpool will need to meet Leverkusen’s demands primarily through cash.
With Liverpool having internally approved the full €150 million that Leverkusen demands, the remaining obstacles appear surmountable through creative structuring of payment terms and add-ons.
The rejection of their latest bid represents a negotiating position rather than an insurmountable barrier, particularly given the player’s clear preference for Anfield and the established relationship between the clubs.
Leverkusen, who finished second in the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso, have publicly acknowledged Liverpool’s “concrete interest” in Wirtz.
It has been reported that the German international ready to sign a five-year deal at Anfield.
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