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Liverpool have submitted a bid of nearly £110 million for highly rated German midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to reports.
The Premier League champions have emerged as frontrunners for the Bayer Leverkusen star after both Bayern Munich and Manchester City reportedly withdrew from the race to sign him this summer.
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is believed to have made a strong impression on the 22-year-old during a meeting earlier this month. Reports suggest that Slot captivated Wirtz with his vision and convinced him that Liverpool—driven by the passion of its fans—would be the perfect next step in his career.
According to Bild, Slot also outlined a key role for Wirtz in his attacking setup, clearly defining the responsibilities he would take on at Anfield.
Despite Liverpool’s interest and the player’s enthusiasm, Bayer Leverkusen are said to be holding out for a fee closer to £126 million for the German international, who has been a standout performer in both the Bundesliga and European competitions over the past two seasons.
Liverpool’s new sporting director, Richard Hughes, is currently leading negotiations in an attempt to secure the midfielder’s signature.
Wirtz enjoyed a sensational campaign last season, registering 18 goals and 20 assists, and has continued that form with 16 goals and 15 assists this term. Already capped 29 times by Germany, he is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football.
Should the deal go through, it would eclipse Liverpool’s current record transfer—the £85 million signing of Darwin Núñez from Benfica in 2022.
