Ally McCoist has expressed his reservations regarding the idea of Liverpool splashing out a record fee for Florian Wirtz. The Reds have reportedly singled out the German midfielder as a prime transfer target, with Bayern Munich also in contention for his signature.
As Bayer Leverkusen is holding out for upwards of $160 million for the 22 year old talent, Liverpool faces the prospect of obliterating its previous transfer record – the $115 million forked out for Darwin Nunez in 2022. Liverpool’s chief executive Michael Edwards is set to jet off to the US for discussions with the club’s proprietors, FSG, about a possible offer for Wirtz, ready to splurge if necessary to secure the playmaker.
The sum demanded by Leverkusen has been met with some scepticism, such as from McCoist, who shared his thoughts on talkSPORT. When queried over whether he believed it was too extravagant a price for Wirtz, McCoist didn’t hesitate.
“Yes, for anybody it is – that’s my argument,” McCoist remarked. “Is he a good player? Yes. Is he a top player? Yes, but straight away if you can get three players at $50 million or maybe an $80 million and a $40 million. Yes, is the answer to the question.
“I think that money could be better spent, I really do. Yes, I like him as a player and he’ll make a difference in any side but it’s too much for me, it really is too much. I know the market has gone crazy but I still think the priority [should be a striker].”
Wirtz’s form has been scintillating into the current season, with the midfielder racking up 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions. His versatility and prowess in attacking midfield have marked him as one of the most exciting talents in Europe.
(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester City has reportedly stepped back from pursuing Wirtz due to financial concerns. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich remains contenders and is believed to be confident about outbidding Liverpool for his services.
Even if Wirtz is keen on a Premier League challenge, the cost of the deal – considering wages, agent fees, and bonuses – could pose a significant obstacle for Liverpool. City’s reluctance, fearing the total expense might surpass $330 million, highlights the potential financial strain.
Liverpool, having reserved substantial funds for potential replacements for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, finds itself in a strong position financially.
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With Salah and Van Dijk renewing their contracts, the club now has more flexibility to allocate funds to other areas of the squad.
Whether Liverpool choose to make a headline-grabbing move for Wirtz or pursue a more measured recruitment approach is yet to be seen.
However, if McCoist’s perspective mirrors wider sentiment, even those who admire the player might believe that the price outweighs the benefit.
