Liverpool ‘Closing in’ on Record-Breaking Deal with Bayer Leverkusen to Sign Florian Wirtz – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Close in on Florian Wirtz Deal: Record Transfer Fee on the Cards

Liverpool are edging closer to a truly monumental transfer coup, with reports from Sport Bild indicating that the club is set to agree a record-breaking fee for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. In a summer window that promised ambition, this move would underline Liverpool’s new chapter under Arne Slot in the most emphatic way possible.

Florian Wirtz: From Bundesliga Starlet to Anfield Target

Until very recently, Liverpool weren’t even considered frontrunners in the pursuit of Wirtz. Bayern Munich had long been expected to land the player, given their dominance in German football and historic pull with homegrown talents. “They essentially have first option on every German talent,” the Sport Bild report points out, with Bayern “publicly discussing the player.”

Manchester City were also strongly linked and seen as a natural fit. With Kevin De Bruyne’s career entering its twilight phase, Wirtz was considered by many to be the “ideal replacement.” Yet, despite this apparent inevitability, City surprisingly pulled out of the race last week, deeming the fee too steep.

Photo: IMAGO

That opened the door for Liverpool, who have pounced decisively. According to Sport Bild, “Liverpool weren’t really reported as favourites or even in the race as recently as two weeks ago,” but “they could win it. Now they appear to have done just that.”

Record-Breaking Fee Signals Shift in Transfer Strategy

Sport Bild claims Liverpool are close to agreeing a fee with Leverkusen, believed to be in the range of €130m to €150m. Either amount would shatter the club’s existing transfer record and could stand as the most expensive incoming deal in English football history. “There’s also a good chance that it ends up as the record transfer for both English football as an incoming and Germany football in total,” the article notes.

Liverpool’s owners have already greenlit this historic expenditure, reportedly confirming their willingness to pay “record-breaking amounts in a meeting with the club’s ownership last week.” This signals a shift from Liverpool’s previously measured, analytics-driven transfer dealings to a more assertive approach befitting champions.

Arne Slot’s Vision Taking Shape

While some may still associate Liverpool’s identity with the recently departed Jurgen Klopp, the Wirtz deal is emblematic of Arne Slot’s new era. The Dutchman, fresh off winning the Premier League in his debut season, is clearly intent on building a side capable of dominating at home and in Europe.

Photo: IMAGO

Bringing in Wirtz, a creative force with flair, intelligence and precision, adds a new dimension to Liverpool’s attack. Wirtz’s ability to operate between the lines and dictate play could become vital as Slot evolves Liverpool’s style into something both entertaining and efficient.

Minimal Obstacles Left in Wirtz Transfer

With personal terms reportedly agreed and Liverpool confident of settling on a fee with Bayer Leverkusen, the final steps are believed to be procedural. “There isn’t a major disagreement over money here, and everything should be ironed out quickly,” writes Sport Bild.

This is a coup that few saw coming. From outsiders to likely winners of the Wirtz race in under a fortnight, Liverpool have once again shown their ability to strike with intent when the moment calls for it.

Should the deal be finalised, Wirtz’s arrival at Anfield will be remembered as a watershed moment for the club’s ambitions post-Klopp, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying new era.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

If this goes through, it could well be the most thrilling signing Liverpool have made in decades. Wirtz isn’t just a good player, he’s the player – the one who gets fans off their seats, the one who changes games with a single moment of inspiration. That this could be the club’s most expensive signing ever, and potentially a record for both English and German football, is just staggering. But honestly, it’s worth every penny.

Arne Slot’s first season was nothing short of miraculous. Winning the league, embedding a new style, and now this – it feels like we’re witnessing the birth of a new dynasty. With Wirtz pulling the strings, the idea of Liverpool becoming a dominant European force again doesn’t just feel possible, it feels likely.

This isn’t just a statement of intent – it’s a declaration of war on the status quo. Liverpool aren’t here to rebuild slowly, they’re here to win, to evolve, and to terrify opposition defences. Bayern and City thought they had this one wrapped up – they didn’t see us coming.