Liverpool is in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to snap up prodigy Florian Wirtz, having already tied up a deal for right-back Jeremie Frimpong from the same club. The Reds have struck for Wirtz in what would be a club-record move.
Wirtz, only 22, has been a revelation in the Bundesliga, chalking up 16 goals and 15 assists this season for Leverkusen. Touted as a future star headed for Bayern Munich, the tide seems to be turning towards Anfield instead.
The player himself is said to be warming to life in the Premier League, having scouted out locations for a potential new home in the north west. Liverpool fans might want to stay guarded though, as manager Arne Slot indicates there’s still much to hash out before any celebration.
The German outfit rates Wirtz at $163 million—a towering sum that made even Manchester City blink—and Liverpool’s pursuit could end up setting a new Premier League transfer record, surpassing the $145 million Chelsea splurged on Enzo Fernandez.
With deep pockets due to minimal activity last summer, the Anfield side are ready to bolster their ranks, but ambition doesn’t always translate into acquisition, a sentiment echoed by Slot in his statements to the press.
“City will probably strengthen the squad again. If the rumors are correct, Arsenal is planning the same, so it would be stupid if we are not looking at trying to strengthen the squad as well,” Slot mentioned in conversation with BBC Sport.
(Image: AP)
“Again, I’ve said it many times, it’s not that easy because this team has already won the league. So to find players that can strengthen us – that might not be that difficult – because there are certain players in the world where I think, ‘if they would come, it would be nice’.
“But they’re also playing at clubs where they don’t want to leave. So there are not many that can strengthen us, but the few that are out there, we will try to get them. At this moment of time we’re not sure if that’s possible.”
Liverpool has previously done business with Leverkusen which could work in its favor. Additionally, Wirtz has expressed his desire to “experience something new” in the near future, telling Sports Illustrated last month that he was “definitely keen” to make a move.
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Liverpool’s recent Premier League win gives it an advantage in the transfer market, and it has a proven track record of successful signings.
However, there are no guarantees that Wirtz will leave Leverkusen, with his parents acting as his agents and taking a cautious approach to any potential moves.
