The wheels are firmly in motion for Florian Wirtz to make the move to Anfield this summer, although Liverpool may be about to run into a problem if he does.
Although the Reds look to have had two offers rejected by Bayer Leverkusen, they are firmly in pole position after Manchester City pulled out of the race, while Bayern Munich looks to have admitted defeat.
There is still some work to be done if an agreement is to be reached with Leverkusen, and the possibility of a player moving in the opposite direction in order to sweeten the deal has been touted, but it does seem likely that Wirtz will be following Jeremie Frimpong to Merseyside.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has issued an update suggesting that Liverpool is “very optimistic” of reaching an agreement with Leverkusen soon.
Unless a player is included in the deal, the Bundesliga side is said to be demanding up to $172 million, which would smash Liverpool’s previous record transfer fee, as well as the Premier League’s.
The Reds though might be about to run into a slight issue if Wirtz does indeed make the move to Merseyside. Plettenberg also claims that the 22-year-old wants to wear the number 10 shirt at Anfield, given it is the number he currently wears at Leverkusen.
Alexis Mac Allister currently wears the No.10 for Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister currently wears the No.10 for Liverpool
The problem with that though is the No. 10 is already taken at Liverpool, with Alexis Mac Allister having claimed it upon his signing in 2023.
Wirtz also wears the number 17 for his country, although that is also unavailable at Liverpool, with Curtis Jones sporting that one.
There are currently only a few numbers below 20 available at Anfield should Wirtz want to claim one of them. 6, 12, 13, 15 and 16 are the only ones available, with more free the higher up you go on the list.
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There is the possibility that some more numbers could become available this summer. Luis Diaz is being linked with Barcelona once again, which could free up the No. 7, while Darwin Nunez’s expected departure would leave the No. 9 available, although that particular one may not suit Wirtz in his usual role.
Liverpool.com says: Not the biggest of issues in the grand scheme of things, and certainly not one that will make or break a move to Anfield for Wirtz.
If Diaz did end up leaving this summer, we could easily see Wirtz taking his No. 7 shirt, or Mac Allister taking it and leaving the No. 10 for his new teammate. Let’s cross that bridge once a deal is wrapped up with Leverkusen though.