Florian Wirtz Deal Enters the Later Stages

Florian Wirtz deal enters the later stages as Liverpool aim to get the deal over the line as soon as possible.

Liverpool has submitted a significant bid for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, with reports suggesting an offer up to £109m (€130m), including add-ons. Leverkusen is seeking closer to £126m (€150m), indicating ongoing negotiations. Wirtz, a 22-year-old playmaker, has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Liverpool and is ready to fly to the UK for a medical once the clubs finalize the fee. This move would break Liverpool’s transfer record, previously set at £85m for Darwin Núñez in 2022.

Wirtz seems keen on joining Liverpool, having turned down interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Germany’s manager, Julian Nagelsmann, has denied influencing Wirtz’s decision, emphasizing the player’s choice. Liverpool’s pursuit is seen as advanced, with high confidence the transfer will happen soon, potentially within the first 10 days of June 2025.

Liverpool is also close to signing Wirtz’s teammate Jeremie Frimpong, who has already completed his medical. There’s mention of a training fee issue, where 5% of the transfer price (around $3.4m) needs to be distributed to clubs Wirtz played for between ages 12–23, though it’s unclear who will cover this cost.

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments regarding Florian Wirtz’s potential transfer to Liverpool, drawing from multiple credible sources as of 7:50 PM BST on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The analysis includes bid details, player stance, negotiation status, and additional context, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers interested in the intricacies of football transfers.

Liverpool has actively pursued Wirtz, submitting a significant offer reported at up to £109m (€130m) by The Athletic, including guaranteed fees and potential add-ons. However, Liverpool.com cites a $147m offer, which, when converted at an approximate rate (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD), aligns closely with €130m, suggesting consistency across reports despite currency differences. Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz’s current club, is holding out for a higher fee, with valuations ranging from £115m Liverpool Echo to £126m (€150m) as per TeamTalk. This discrepancy highlights ongoing negotiations, with the final fee expected to be a record for Liverpool, surpassing the £85m paid for Darwin Núñez in 2022.

A notable detail is the training fee, where 5% of the transfer price—approximately $3.4m or $3m—must be distributed to clubs Wirtz played for between ages 12–23, as reported by Liverpool.com and Bild. It remains unclear whether Liverpool or Leverkusen will cover this cost, potentially complicating final agreements.

Wirtz, a 22-year-old German international with 29 caps since his debut in 2021, appears eager to join Liverpool. TeamTalk and Liverpool.com confirm he has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract, positioning him among Liverpool’s highest earners. Reports suggest he is “ready to fly to the UK” for a medical , indicating his commitment. Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, in an interview with Bild, denied influencing Wirtz’s decision, stating, “I’ve never told a player to move here or there,” emphasizing Wirtz’s personal choice.

Wirtz’s preference for Liverpool is further evidenced by his rejection of interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The Athletic notes Bayern was informed of his preference earlier this month, while Sky Sports reports Manchester City cooled their interest due to costs, with a potential deal up to £250m (€300m) including wages.

Negotiations are described as advanced, with high confidence the transfer will be completed soon. Liverpool.com and The Guardian suggest the deal could be finalized within days, potentially in the first 10 days of June 2025, as per Liverpool Echo. However, there’s caution due to Leverkusen’s fee stance and past experiences, such as the Martin Zubimendi case last summer, where a deal fell through despite advanced talks Liverpool Echo.

Wirtz’s contract with Leverkusen runs until 2027, signed in 2022, giving Leverkusen leverage in negotiations. His recent performances—18 goals and 20 assists in the 2023-24 season, helping Leverkusen win their first league title, and 16 goals, 15 assists in 2024-25 —justify their high valuation, making him a key target for Liverpool to enhance their attacking output and fit Arne Slot’s system.

Comparative Analysis and Impact

Compared to Liverpool’s current players, Wirtz’s stats are impressive. The Athletic notes he has 21 goals and 25 assists in the Bundesliga since the start of last season, contrasting with Dominik Szoboszlai’s 6 goals and 7 assists in 36 Premier League appearances. This suggests Wirtz could significantly boost Liverpool’s midfield creativity and versatility.

Liverpool’s simultaneous pursuit of Jeremie Frimpong, another Leverkusen player, is noteworthy. Sky Sports and Liverpool.com confirm Frimpong has completed his medical, indicating Liverpool’s strategy to bolster their squad with Leverkusen talent.

While Wirtz is the focus, Liverpool is linked with other players, such as Maghnes Akliouche ($79m–$91m), though CaughtOffside suggests this is less likely given the focus on Wirtz and other signings. Potential departures, including Luis Diaz, are mentioned , but these are secondary to Wirtz’s transfer.

Below is a table summarizing the critical aspects of Wirtz’s potential transfer:

This table encapsulates the core elements, providing a quick reference for readers.

In conclusion, the evidence leans toward Florian Wirtz joining Liverpool imminently, with advanced negotiations and player commitment, though final fee agreements remain a point of contention. This transfer, if completed, would mark a significant investment in Liverpool’s attacking midfield, aligning with their strategy for the upcoming season.