Liverpool has upped the ante in its pursuit of Florian Wirtz, tabling a club-record bid of £113 million ($152.9 million) to Bayer Leverkusen.
However, it's believed this offer may not meet Leverkusen's valuation. The German team is reportedly holding out for around $171 million, a sum that would make it the fourth-highest transfer fee ever paid. Negotiations between Liverpool and Leverkusen are ongoing, with the 22-year-old expressing his eagerness to don the red shirt at Anfield.
Should Wirtz join the Reds, he'd bring an added layer of versatility to the squad. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he can also be deployed on the flanks or as a forward, though he thrives in the No. 10 role just behind the striker.
Wirtz isn't one to stick rigidly to his position, however. In Germany's recent Nations League match against Portugal, he was seen popping up all over the pitch, often adopting a hybrid role.
He demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess in that game, collecting the ball on the left wing, driving toward the center, then connecting with a cross from Joshua Kimmich to head home from inside the box.
This skill set could see Wirtz slot seamlessly into Liverpool's setup, potentially occupying a similar role to Dominik Szoboszlai, who often plays as the most advanced midfielder in Arne Slot's midfield trio.
Arne Slot is preparing for next season
Arne Slot is preparing for next season (Image: Getty Images)
During his stint at Leverkusen, Szoboszlai frequently enjoyed the freedom to roam and create scoring opportunities, and Wirtz, having accumulated 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 matches, could potentially follow suit at Liverpool as their No. 10.
The Germany international has previously alluded to his preference for an unrestricted role on the pitch. In a 2024 interview with Werkself Magazin, Wirtz discussed his playing style, stating: "What I do is mostly very spontaneous because it appears to be the best solution in that situation.
"But sometimes I suspect or know beforehand what the opponent will do, and then it's easier to do my own tricks because I can see how the opponents move and when they'll dive in.
"It's one of my strengths that sometimes I know in advance what will happen - and then I can concentrate on the solution, so that I anticipate the situation and create an advantage.
"I've learned to watch what the others do and then make the best decision. You always have to be prepared to learn if you want to become a better player."
He added: "I just have the physique to get into lots of challenges. I give everything in every game for us to win. So I also look for challenges or run back because that's part of helping my team be successful. I want to give my all and run until I can't anymore."
This is the kind of dedication that Slot would surely value as he reshapes his Liverpool team for the upcoming season.
Jeremie Frimpong has been brought in to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, and Wirtz might be the next addition, with negotiations also advancing for Milos Kerkez.