Jurgen Klopp is back on Merseyside this weekend, and the Liverpool legend had a message for fans. “Congratulations to the team and to Arne Slot especially,” he said as part of it. “What a guy, and what a coach.”
Considering that most people assumed there would be some kind of drop-off or transition period this season, Slot has done a remarkable job. But having already won a league title, he isn’t stopping there.
Liverpool.com understands that the Reds have made initial contact with Bayer Leverkusen as they look to sign the mercurial playmaker Florian Wirtz. Initially, it had been thought that Bayern Munich was leading the pursuit for the German, but the Bundesliga champion appears to have fallen behind in the race.
A few days ago, Manchester City dropped out of contention for Wirtz, possibly because of the price tag, but Liverpool is pushing on in an attempt to do a deal. Leverkusen is demanding a fee of around $169 million (£126 million) for its star man.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Wirtz has not only told Bayern Munich that he doesn’t want to move to the Allianz Arena, but he has also notified Bayer Leverkusen of his desire to move to England.
Clearly, it would be a hugely significant signing for Liverpool. And the Premier League champion appears to be in a good position to ensure a transfer gets over the line.
It remains to be seen whether or not a deal can be reached, but Liverpool will not stop there even if it is. Jeremie Frimpong— also at Bayer Leverkusen — is another of interest, plus, supposedly, $60 million (£45 million) rated Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth.
Frimpong, of course, plays alongside Wirtz at the moment. And, crucially, he has a release clause set at a relatively modest $39 million (£30 million). That would be a much easier (and cheaper) move to make as a result.
Ahead of facing Brighton last week, Slot outlined his desire to add a new dimension to his Liverpool side. It has won the Premier League title, but was beaten by PSG in the Champions League and lost to Plymouth and Newcastle in the domestic cups, and he wants to do even better next time around.
“If I look at the way we think about next season and our squad, these are things that are on my mind,” Slot explained. “I think we can find one or two extra weapons that this team doesn’t have.”
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In Wirtz and Frimpong — should a double move for the Leverkusen pair prove possible — he would certainly get his wish. That duo are excellent players, but they would also offer something different from what Liverpool already has.
At right-back, Frimpong is almost the opposite of Trent Alexander-Arnold. He is a dribbler rather than a passer, and has plenty of pace. Alongside Conor Bradley, the Dutchman would be a strong option at full-back.
Wirtz, meanwhile, is already world-class, with the potential to get to the next level. At 22, he is already adept at making the right decision almost every time in the final third, as evidenced by his 16 goals and 15 assists this season under Xabi Alonso.
If Slot wants to add A) quality and B) something slightly different from what he already has, then Wirtz and Frimpong both fit the bill. The current season hasn’t even ended yet, but exciting plans for the next one have long been taking shape.
