Final Push for Wirtz
Liverpool are poised to submit a fourth and final offer of £118m (€140m) for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, hoping to resolve the club-record transfer saga within the next 24-48 hours. The 22-year-old German playmaker, with personal terms already agreed, is Arne Slot’s top target to bolster Liverpool’s midfield. Leverkusen, who rejected Liverpool’s third bid of £113m (€134m, £100m upfront plus £13m add-ons), hold firm at £126m (€150m), but reports suggest a compromise around £120m (€142.5m) is likely, potentially setting a British transfer record. Wirtz’s 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 Leverkusen appearances underline his value, and his desire to join Liverpool strengthens their position.
Negotiation Dynamics
Despite Leverkusen’s high valuation, optimism grows as both clubs seek a swift resolution before the June 10 Club World Cup transfer window closes. The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele notes Leverkusen’s readiness to maximize finances but not block Wirtz’s move, with easily achievable add-ons, like Champions League qualification, bridging the gap. Bild reports a medical could occur next week, with Wirtz earning up to £18.5m annually, making him Liverpool’s second-highest earner behind Mohamed Salah. A sticking point, training compensation fees (5% of the transfer, ~£5m) owed to Koln, where Wirtz played from age 7 to 16, remains unresolved, but isn’t expected to derail talks. Liverpool’s prior £29.5m deal for Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong aids negotiations.
Wirtz’s Fit and Slot’s Vision
Wirtz’s versatility as an attacking midfielder, false nine, or winger fits Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system, potentially challenging Dominik Szoboszlai’s role or allowing rotation on the left. Micah Richards, on The Rest is Football, praised Wirtz’s “exceptional” technical and tactical skills, though he noted physicality concerns in the Premier League. Alan Shearer predicted success, citing Wirtz’s ability to handle pressure, evident in his Bundesliga Player of the Season award (2023/24, 18 goals, 20 assists). Slot’s focus on dynamic midfielders makes Wirtz a cornerstone, possibly easing reliance on Salah, who turns 33 soon. Jamie Carragher, via The Overlap, urged Liverpool to target a centre-forward next, alongside Wirtz, Frimpong, and a left-back like Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
What’s Next?
Liverpool’s final £118m bid, expected today, June 9, 2025, could seal the deal, with Leverkusen open to a slightly reduced fee if add-ons are structured favorably. Wirtz, currently with Germany for their Nations League third-place play-off against France, is set for a medical next week, followed by a holiday before pre-season in July. Potential player swaps, like Harvey Elliott or Jarell Quansah, were considered but are unlikely, with Liverpool favoring cash. If successful, the transfer will surpass Chelsea’s £115m for Moises Caicedo, marking a bold start to Slot’s era. Fans on X express excitement, with @LFCTransferRoom citing Bild’s claim of a “done deal,” though negotiations remain delicate.
