Liverpool has taken a significant step toward securing Bundesliga star Florian Wirtz, with reports confirming the club has scheduled a medical for the midfielder.
The Reds have increased their offer for the Bayer Leverkusen star to around $153 million (£113 million) in a bid to secure a club-record deal. The Premier League champion saw its initial $147 million (£109 million) bid for the German international rejected last weekend.
However, following further negotiations, the Reds have now submitted a new package guaranteeing Leverkusen $135 million (£100 million) upfront, with an additional $18 million (£13 million) in add-ons. Despite the improved offer, it still falls short of Leverkusen’s $170 million (£126 million) valuation, and Liverpool seems unwilling to meet the asking price at this stage.
Negotiations are ongoing as Liverpool push to finalize what would become the most expensive transfer in the club’s history, surpassing the $101 million (£75 million) spent on Virgil van Dijk in 2018. Wirtz has expressed a strong desire to join the Reds, and the club remains confident that an agreement will soon be reached for the highly sought-after 22-year-old.
Liverpool’s $153 million bid for Wirtz sits just $3 million (£2 million) shy of the current British transfer record — the $155 million (£115 million) Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in August 2023.
Wirtz has already agreed to personal terms with Liverpool, with a long-term contract in place. He is set to earn around $480k (£355k) per week, including bonuses with the deal running until 2030.
The transfer is expected to be formally completed in the coming days, marking a major addition to Liverpool’s squad. A medical is scheduled for next week before Wirtz departs for his summer break — a fitting pause before what promises to be a new and exciting chapter at Anfield.
In many respects, Liverpool has already cleared the toughest hurdle by convincing the 22-year-old to choose Anfield over Manchester City and Bayern Munich — the latter widely seen, even by its own hierarchy, as his likely next destination. With that in mind, failing to complete the deal would reflect poorly on the club, given the ground Liverpool has gained.
However, any claims that the transfer is becoming a drawn-out saga are premature. Liverpool acted swiftly once it became clear that Wirtz was open to joining Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning side, immediately initiating talks with Leverkusen.
Wirtz was among the standout performers in the Bundesliga last season. The 22-year-old, who has spent his entire senior career at Leverkusen, delivered 10 goals and 12 assists in just 25 starts. The Germany international could soon reunite with former teammate Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield, following the Dutch defender’s recent $39.9 million (£29.5 million) move to Liverpool.
Slot’s side is also exploring further reinforcements, with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez emerging as another key target.
Source: Liverpool.com
