Liverpool Told to Pay £126m to Sign Florian Wirtz with Deal ‘Still Expected’ – Journalist | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Pursuit of Florian Wirtz Reaches Crucial Stage After £109m Rejection

Liverpool’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz took a major step forward this week as their improved second bid, reportedly worth up to £109 million, was swiftly rejected by Bayer Leverkusen.

The Premier League champions have made their intentions clear: Wirtz is a top target. While the Bundesliga runners-up are standing firm, the bid itself is symbolic of a change in tempo at Anfield. This is no tentative approach, no speculative inquiry. It’s a calculated power move from a club that has just reclaimed English football’s summit under new leadership.

Wirtz Drawn to Anfield Project

One of the most compelling elements in this story comes from Christian Falk, who reported that “the 22-year-old would prefer a move to Anfield over Bayern Munich due to Arne Slot convincing him that he’d have ‘ownership of the number 10 role’.”

This is not just a case of throwing money at a problem. Arne Slot has clearly taken the personal initiative to present Wirtz with a tailored vision of his future – one which places him at the heart of Liverpool’s tactical evolution.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s manager knows that Wirtz represents not only elite talent but also the chance to shape the next attacking fulcrum for years to come.

Price Tag Poses Final Hurdle

According to The Times, Leverkusen’s asking price remains at €150 million (£126.5 million), meaning Liverpool’s latest bid still falls slightly short. However, FSG’s offer – made up of a guaranteed fee and structured add-ons – signals their willingness to navigate beyond their historically cautious approach.

Joyce reported that, “there is no sense that an accord will not be reached over the coming days.” That’s a telling sentence. This is not an impasse, but a negotiation.

Leverkusen may hold the cards in terms of the fee, but the player’s preference for Liverpool shifts the momentum. With an estimated £125 million likely to secure the deal, Liverpool are clearly preparing to go to that level – and perhaps rightly so, given the unique calibre of talent in question.

Financial Dominoes Could Follow

Should the deal progress, Leverkusen stand to gain not just from Wirtz’s departure but also from the £30 million sale of Jeremie Frimpong. That would provide a substantial war chest for their own summer rebuild under Erik Ten Hag, potentially funding new additions as they return to Champions League football.

Photo: IMAGO

From Liverpool’s perspective, this would be the most expensive deal in the club’s history – surpassing even the transformative signings of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker. But with Slot freshly crowned as Premier League champion, this feels less like a risk and more like a statement of ambition.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans have every reason to be excited. Florian Wirtz isn’t just another talented Bundesliga export – he’s a genuine game-changer. The thought of him wearing red, pulling the strings behind our front line, is electric.

Let’s not forget what Arne Slot has already achieved in one season. He’s restored belief, identity and silverware. Now he’s targeting the kind of player who fits his tactical vision perfectly – intelligent, sharp in tight spaces, and fearless in possession.

The fact that Wirtz prefers a move to Anfield over Bayern speaks volumes. We’re not second-choice anymore – we are the destination. Slot promising Wirtz “ownership of the number 10 role” shows how personal and purposeful this move is. No squad rotation ambiguity, no substitute minutes – just centrality and freedom.

Yes, £125 million is a massive fee, but in modern football, quality costs. Look at what Bellingham, Rice, or Enzo Fernández have gone for. Wirtz is in that bracket. And let’s be honest, we’ve waited for a real playmaker since Coutinho left. Wirtz could finally fill that void – and more.

If Liverpool get this done, it won’t just be the signing of the summer. It could define the next chapter at Anfield.