Liverpool have been given a huge boost in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.
talkSPORT understands that the German has told Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich that he favours a move to Anfield.
The Reds are now deciding whether to make a formal bid, with Leverkusen valuing the German international in excess of £125million, which would be a British record transfer fee.
The Premier League champions have the funds to complete such a deal this summer.
The Reds also know Wirtz could yet stay at Leverkusen.
News of Liverpool emerging as the front-runners for Wirtz comes days after Manchester City ended their interest in the midfielder.
City were heavily linked with a swoop for Wirtz but pulled out due to the eye-watering costs involved in a transfer.
Instead, City are expected to pursue a move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.
Wirtz’s preference for a move to Anfield also came hot on the heels of his parents’ visit to the UK last week to discuss their son’s future.
However, Bayern chief Uli Hoeness dismissed the significance of the trip in a spiky interview.
“These are things that are so typical of the state of our media, that they take such nonsense as a small trip so seriously,” Hoeness said.
“It’s not about football anymore, it’s just about every fart left and right.
“And then you have to ask yourselves whether that’s still what the viewers want to hear, read, and see.
“What can I tell you now? You’ve been writing nonsense for weeks about him going to Manchester City, even though he was at Liverpool. We’ll provide you with facts at some point, not more speculation.”
Wirtz finished the 2024/25 campaign with 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions for Leverkusen as they finished second in the Bundesliga.
He was also a shining light last term for the German outfit as his 23 goal contributions in the league helped Leverkusen win their maiden Bundesliga crown.
Should Wirtz depart, it would mark the latest exit in what will be a serious summer of upheaval at Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso confirmed the 2024/25 campaign was his last at the club and is poised to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
Leverkusen will also need to find a new right-back as Liverpool informed the German side of their intention to trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5m release clause.
Wirtz first joined Leverkusen in 2016 as a 16-year-old, rejecting the advances of Bayern and Hoffenheim.
It didn’t take him long to make his debut as Peter Bosz threw Wirtz into the Bundesliga when he just turned 17 in May 2020.
He then became the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history aged 17 and 3 days when he netted in a 4-2 loss against Bayern.
Wirtz has gone on to make 197 senior appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 57 times and setting up a further 65, which is more than a goal contribution per two matches.
