Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz continues after Bayer Leverkusen rejected their record-breaking £109million second bid for the German Player of the Year. The Reds made their offer on Friday, just before the transfer window officially opened, but Leverkusen are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to £125m. Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes is in ongoing talks with Leverkusen's Simon Rolfes and managing director Fernando Carro, as both clubs seek a swift resolution.
Liverpool are eager to avoid protracted negotiations after already signing the £29.5m Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen on the same day Trent Alexander-Arnold transferred to Real Madrid for £10m. It remains unclear how Liverpool's offer for Wirtz has been structured, but it will likely include achievable and performance-based add-ons. If Leverkusen's terms are met, Liverpool will set a new British transfer record, surpassing the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo at Brighton in 2023.
Should a deal be finalised, Wirtz's arrival would make him the priciest player in Merseyside history, surpassing the £85m spent on Darwin Nunez from Benfica in 2022, which included £21m in add-ons, and the £75m transfer of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018.
Both clubs are reportedly calm about the situation, with no signs of an imminent collapse in talks. The Reds are keen to secure what could be a significant signing for their Premier League title defence next season.
German reports suggested that Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah might be offered as part of the deal, but current discussions between the clubs focus solely on agreeing a transfer fee for Wirtz.
Leverkusen had hoped to retain their star player at the BayArena for another season, especially after losing head coach Xabi Alonso along with Jonathan Tah and Frimpong. However, following Wirtz and his family's decision, negotiations are now centred around determining a price that would make the 22-year-old a record-breaking acquisition for Liverpool.
Despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, there is no indication the move for Wirtz will fall apart, with the player and his representatives having given their assurance last month.
Anfield bosses initially thought Wirtz would choose either Leverkusen or Bayern, but after an effective pitch by Liverpool to him and his parents, who serve as his agents, Manchester City admitted defeat. Subsequently, the player's father, Hans Wirtz, reportedly informed Munich officials that Liverpool had clinched the deal.
During his introduction as Alonso's replacement, ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag commented last week, "We have to build a new squad and a new team. It's a fantastic process that I'm looking forward to with a lot of enthusiasm. I'll work with the players who are available on 1 September."
Following a restful off-season break in Corsica, Wirtz has joined the German national team as they prepare for their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash against Portugal this Wednesday.