Liverpool may be frontrunners in the race to sign Florian Wirtz, especially if Jurgen Klopp’s earlier comments are any indication.
Reports suggest the Reds are in a head-to-head transfer fight with Bayern Munich, after Manchester City withdrew from the running. Bayer Leverkusen have set a steep asking price of €150million ($170M) for Wirtz, a fee that would require Liverpool to break their transfer record.
Even so, there are strong signs the club are preparing to make a serious push. As reported by German publication Bild, Liverpool chief executive Michael Edwards is travelling to the US this week to meet with club owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and request formal approval for a move.
It’s understood he’ll outline Wirtz’s unique qualities and argue in favor of a landmark investment. This will undoubtedly thrill Liverpool supporters, particularly given Klopp’s previously glowing remarks about Edwards.
Prior to his departure last year, Klopp called Edwards “not dumb” and suggested he wouldn’t make the case to FSG unless he truly believed there was a chance they’d sanction the deal. “Michael and I, we always had a really good relationship,” Klopp told the club’s official website. “I’m really happy he’s back… Michael is a top choice.”
Asked whether Edwards, who re-joined in 2024, tried to convince him to remain, Klopp responded: “No, because – and [this] is very important in the job – he is not dumb. It’s not a subject to talk about.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Edwards held the role of sporting director from 2016 to 2022, overseeing signings that led to Champions League and Premier League glory. He was behind pivotal transfers such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Fabinho, and Alisson Becker.
Now, he’s at the forefront of efforts to capture Wirtz, who’s had a phenomenal season with 16 goals and 15 assists. He was also vital in Leverkusen’s title-winning campaign last year, contributing to 38 goal contributions across all competitions.
Still, Bayern Munich appear confident they will land Wirtz. The German champions have made him a top priority and are reportedly ready to wait until 2026 if necessary to finalize the deal.
(Image: PA)
Bayern’s habit of acquiring star players from domestic clubs has long reinforced their dominance in German football. Though they haven’t made a major Bundesliga signing since Dayot Upamecano in 2021, they’ve historically secured elite talent including Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, and Manuel Neuer.
Manchester City were once viewed as frontrunners to sign Wirtz, seen by many as the perfect successor to Kevin De Bruyne. However, financial concerns have caused them to step away from negotiations.
With a base fee of $170M and total costs — such as wages and commissions — projected to top $330M, City concluded the transfer didn’t make financial sense. Their focus has since shifted toward more economical alternatives like Morgan Gibbs-White and Tijjani Reijnders.
(Image: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool, meanwhile, are also on the verge of signing Wirtz’s team-mate Jeremie Frimpong. While financial prudence will be a consideration, the club’s recent contract renewals for Salah and Van Dijk have eased pressure, freeing up resources for a marquee signing.
Securing Wirtz would be a defining move in Liverpool’s next chapter — a bold statement that the club, even in a post-Klopp world, is still a destination for Europe’s finest talents and a serious contender both on the pitch and in the transfer market.
