Liverpool are closing in on completing a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, according to Sky Sports in Germany.
The deal is expected to rise to £127million (€150million), which would make the German the third most expensive signing in football history, and the most in the Premier League.
Wirtz joins Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong through the door at Anfield, as Arne Slot looks to conclude his business early.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is also expected to join the Reds in the coming weeks.
Florian Wirtz's Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong has already confirmed his move to Liverpool
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Liverpool have beaten Bayern Munich to the signing of Wirtz, with the German club announcing last month the 22-year-old had decided to move to Merseyside.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer told German newspaper Abendzeitung: "[Director of sport] Max Eberl has informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will continue with Leverkusen."
The young German had meetings with both Slot and Bayern boss Vincent Kompany, but the Dutchman’s clear-cut plan and project impressed Wirtz, leaving him decided on his next destination before even meeting with the Belgian.
The deal will see Wirtz overtake Moises Caicedo, a former Liverpool target, as the Premier League’s most lucrative transfer, and will represent the highest fee for a player who has not joined Paris Saint-Germain.
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Florian Wirtz's move will see him become the most expensive transfer in Premier League history
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Caicedo joined Chelsea for a fee of £115million in August 2023.
The 22-year-old has 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games at Leverkusen and played a pivotal role in Xabi Alonso’s revolution.
In the 2023/24 campaign, they won the Bundesliga without losing a game, as well as the DFB Pokal, Germany’s domestic cup, and the German Super Cup.
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They also reached the final of the Europa League but fell short to Atalanta.
This campaign, Wirtz continued that stellar form from last season, netting 16 goals and recording 15 assists in 45 appearances.
Wirtz has also scored seven goals for Germany, including one earlier in the week in their 2-1 loss against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Nations League semi-final.
The midfielder has typically played in the playmaker position behind the striker in Germany but has also played as a lone striker for his national team and this could be his role on Merseyside.
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Florian Wirtz has played 30 caps for Germany, scoring seven
The Leverkusen star could play a Roberto Firmino-type role, dropping deeper to use his playmaking attributes and allowing wingers, such as Mo Salah, to get in behind the defence.
World Cup-winning coach Joachim Lowe was full of praise for his compatriot.
“I have no concerns that Wirtz will prevail – no matter where he would have gone.
“He plays with a naturalness that can’t be coached. He possesses all the skills a footballer needs to be a world-class player."
There is no doubt Liverpool are gunning to retain their Premier League title, and their aggressive nature in the market has demonstrated their eagerness and determination to win, again.
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