Liverpool Must Pay £128m to Sign Bundesliga Star After Holding Talks – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Ambitious Pursuit of Florian Wirtz: What We Know So Far

Liverpool’s interest in Florian Wirtz is rapidly gathering momentum, following a dramatic flurry of reports suggesting concrete discussions have taken place between the club and the player’s representatives. As reported by Werkself Extra, the 22-year-old German international visited Merseyside on Tuesday along with his parents, who serve as his advisors, to discuss a potential summer move.

Kicker.de were the first to confirm Wirtz’s presence in Liverpool, with Bild journalist Christian Falk corroborating that meetings occurred with multiple Premier League suitors. Among these, Liverpool and Manchester City are believed to be the most advanced in negotiations.

Crucially, Werkself Extra’s report states:

“Everything indicates that Wirtz will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.”

It marks a significant shift in the transfer landscape, with Liverpool seemingly in pole position to land one of Europe’s most coveted talents.

Photo: IMAGO

Wirtz’s Phenomenal Output Underlines His Value

Wirtz’s statistics speak volumes about his creative brilliance. In 44 appearances this season, he has contributed 16 goals and 15 assists, building upon last season’s 18 goals and 20 assists. This consistency places him among Europe’s elite attacking midfielders.

His underlying metrics confirm the eye test. As shown in the data:

With Liverpool in need of a long-term solution for creative output in midfield, Wirtz could fill a void not fully resolved since Philippe Coutinho’s departure.

Transfer Fee Could Prove the Defining Hurdle

Bayer Leverkusen’s €150m (£128m) valuation of Wirtz is substantial, but not unrealistic in today’s market—especially for English clubs. As Werkself Extra noted:

“The English clubs (Liverpool and Manchester City) would easily be able to meet the €150m asking price on the player.”

However, Bayern Munich are reportedly less equipped to pay such a fee, particularly with no release clause in Wirtz’s current contract, which runs until 2027. Kicker also hint that while €150m is the official figure, a slight discount could be available for non-Bundesliga sides:

“There is a suggestion that this price will be softened for clubs outside of the Bundesliga.”

Photo: IMAGO

For Liverpool, that opens the door to negotiations where structure—such as performance-based bonuses—could ease the financial strain.

Real Madrid Lurking as Alonso’s Influence Grows

While Liverpool and City remain the front-runners, Real Madrid could still influence proceedings. With former Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso now at the Bernabéu, the lure of reuniting with a manager under whom Wirtz thrived remains a strong wildcard.

As the report added:

“Real Madrid could also throw their hat in the ring as Xabi Alonso’s appreciation for the player is well known.”

Madrid’s pursuit may depend on their outgoings and their plans for other midfielders, but Wirtz’s age and versatility make him a viable long-term Galáctico prospect.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s hard not to be excited about Florian Wirtz. From a Liverpool perspective, this potential move represents not just ambition, but strategic foresight. With Arne Slot having just secured the Premier League title in his debut season, the club’s upward trajectory could become irresistible to elite talents like Wirtz.

A key consideration is the system. Slot’s philosophy—focused on technical control, high pressing and vertical creativity—would suit Wirtz perfectly. He thrives in tight spaces, progresses the ball with intelligence, and boasts elite output. Think of a hybrid between Bernardo Silva and Thomas Müller—intelligent, relentless, and impactful.

Of course, the price tag is eye-watering. Liverpool are traditionally more conservative in their spending, but recent commercial success and their new Premier League title might embolden a marquee signing. A deal structured with achievable add-ons, rather than upfront payments, would be consistent with their historical model.

There’s also the matter of squad balance. Should Wirtz arrive, it raises questions about the futures of Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and even Dominik Szoboszlai. But elite clubs plan with depth, and Wirtz’s ability to play wide or centrally makes him less of a tactical gamble.

Ultimately, this feels like a transformative transfer—if the club can get it over the line. The next step? Convincing Wirtz that his future lies in red.