Liverpool are in advanced talks to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, with the Reds having already secured the services of Jeremie Frimpong from the Bundesliga club after a classy gesture
11:27, 11 Jun 2025
Florian Wirtz is set to join Liverpool
Florian Wirtz is set to join Liverpool(Image: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Liverpool might have played their cards just right by charming Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong with a class act that left Bayer Leverkusen touched last November.
Before the two sides got tangled in transfer talks this summer, they faced off in a Champions League group stage battle last winter. Anfield witnessed a cracking 4-0 win over Leverkusen on November 5. Barcelona target Luis Diaz bagged himself a hat-trick while Cody Gakpo netted one on a night to remember.
The Leverkusen squad took a tough hit that night, but Liverpool’s next move was a masterstroke. Where most teams would jet straight back after a Europe match, Liverpool showed why they are a cut above and lent out their swanky AXA training digs to the visitors the day after.
This genius offer came before Leverkusen's clash with Bochum, ending in a flat 1-1 draw four days post-Champions League action. New signing Frimpong was gobsmacked by the lush facilities, reports the Express.
Chatting to Liverpool’s media team after completing a £29.5m move to the Premier League champions, he said: "We came to the training ground after the match when we played against Liverpool, so I've seen it. What can I say? This is what every kid dreams of, facilities like this. I'm just blessed to be here."
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong completed a swift move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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The move was likely influenced by Liverpool's strong ties with Xabi Alonso, the former Reds midfielder who was Leverkusen's head coach at the time. Alonso has since moved to Real Madrid and will be coaching Trent Alexander-Arnold next season following the defender's transfer to the Spanish capital.
Wirtz may have been equally impressed. It is widely anticipated that Liverpool will sign the attacking midfielder in a deal that, if finalised, will involve a record-breaking fee for the club.
A deal for Frimpong to join Anfield as Alexander-Arnold's successor was sealed earlier this month. However, negotiations over Wirtz are still ongoing.
Leverkusen are adamant that Liverpool should meet their full valuation of £126m. The Reds' most recent offer is thought to be around £113m.
Darwin Nunez's 2022 transfer remains the highest fee Liverpool have paid for a player, with his move from Benfica potentially costing up to £85m. Interestingly, Nunez might depart from Merseyside after a challenging season under Arne Slot.
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As per Foot Mercato, Nunez is open to a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Cody Gakpo has also been linked with a departure, but denied knowledge of any transfer while on international duty with the Netherlands.
In the meantime, Liverpool are optimistic about finalising a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
The Cherries are nearing the signing of Rennes captain Adrien Truffert as a replacement for the Hungary international.