Both Liverpool and Manchester City would love to sign Florian Wirtz this summer.
The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is one of the best players in the Bundesliga, and his performances over the last two years have attracted many eyes.
With Xabi Alonso leaving Leverkusen for Real Madrid, there is a good chance that Wirtz will be on his way out of the club too before the start of next season.
The Germany international is not short of suitors ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool want assurances from Florian Wirtz before making a bid
Florian Wirtz started this week with three clubs ready to pounce for his signature.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are two of them, and they are still very much pursuing a deal for the attacking midfielder.
The other club is Manchester City, but they have given up in their pursuit of Wirtz because they feel that the overall cost of the deal is too expensive.
The race remains open between Bayern and Liverpool for Wirtz, but Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has revealed that the Reds will not table a bid for him until they receive assurances that he is ready to join them this summer.
He tweeted: “Liverpool want Florian Wirtz, but they would need to receive assurances that he’s willing to leave Germany before making an offer.
“Expectation at the moment is he will stay at Bayer Leverkusen or move to Bayern Munich, but Liverpool have not given up. Leverkusen want up to €150 million (£126.1m).”
Wirtz’s current contract at Leverkusen expires in the summer of 2027.
The player Liverpool could sign if they can’t get Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is clearly the dream target for Liverpool in that attacking role, and he would be a fine signing.
However, Bayern Munich seem to be the favourites to land Wirtz, and the German giants could spoil the party for Arne Slot’s side.
That would be frustrating, but Liverpool have a backup option – Rayan Cherki.
The Lyon star is the player the Reds could target this summer, and the Frenchman is hoping to move to Anfield too, ahead of other interested clubs.
Furthermore, Cherki will be available for just £25 million this summer – over £100 million less than what Leverkusen want for Wirtz.
