Liverpool have run out of time to sign Florian Wirtz during the first summer transfer window but the Reds remain close to sealing a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen star
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool could pay a British record fee for Florian Wirtz
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool will pay £100m guaranteed to sign Florian Wirtz as the Reds look to close a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen star. But they remain locked in talks with the Bundesliga club over add-ons, the structure of the transfer and payments as no agreement is finalised.
Wirtz, 22, has not yet been given permission to travel for a medical yet and nothing has been arranged.
Liverpool submitted a third bid for the Germany international last week and, although it did not meet Leverkusen’s valuation, it was not rejected.
It was an offer of £100m plus £14m in add-ons. Talks have been ongoing between the clubs since it was lodged. Liverpool remain adamant in the talks that they will not pay the £127m (€150m) asking price and are continuing discussions over the total amount of add-ons and how they would be structured.
Any deal above Liverpool’s third offer would break the British transfer record, which is the £115m Chelsea spent to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in August 2023.
As of Tuesday night, there was no agreement between the clubs on add-ons or the deal structure and talks are ongoing.
There is growing confidence a compromise will be reached as discussions go on into a third week. Wirtz is keen to make the move to Merseyside after holding discussions with Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Liverpool’s Premier League rivals moved on to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon in a £35m deal. Cherki, 21, was also on Liverpool’s list of targets but their preference was Wirtz and that is the transfer they have focused on since the Germany star indicated his preference over his next move.
Florian Wirtz
The Reds are closing in on a deal for Florian Wirtz(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool remain in contact with Bournemouth over left back Milos Kerkez. The full-back missed Hungary’s defeat by Sweden on Friday night due to a minor injury and left the camp before Tuesday’s clash against Azerbaijan.
The Cherries want £45m for Kerkez but Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, has been trying to negotiate a lower fee with his former club.
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