Updated / Monday, 2 Jun 2025 15:45
Liverpool continue to pursue a deal to sign Florian Wirtz after their £109million (€129m) bid was rebuffed by Bayer Leverkusen.
A firm offer for the 22-year-old was made on Friday but the Bundesliga side are holding out for a fee closer to £125m (€148m) and talks are continuing.
Reports in Germany have suggested Leverkusen would be interested in signing a Liverpool player – midfielder Harvey Elliott and defender Jarell Quansah have both been mentioned – to offset the difference in valuation.
However, it is understood the Premier League champions have not held any discussions about any makeweights to help the deal over the line.
Second-choice goalkeeper [Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to complete a move to Brentford](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/0601/1516207-kelleher-closing-in-on-move-to-brentford-reports/) in a deal worth up to £18million (€21.3m).
The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international is in the final year of his contract and wants regular first-team football.
Mateo Kovacic (R) with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic will miss the Club World Cup after undergoing Achilles surgery.
Kovacic missed the FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace through injury earlier this month.
He returned to face Bournemouth in the Premier League but was sent off and sat out the final game of the season at Fulham.
City have now confirmed the 31-year-old has required an operation. No timescale has been put on his recovery but the focus is now on next season.
City face Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in their first match of the Club World Cup in Philadelphia on 18 June. They have further group games against Al Ain of Abu Dhabi and Juventus. The 32-team tournament concludes on 13 July.