The Reds are prepared to make a significant financial commitment to secure Wirtz this summer, though they have yet to meet Bayer Leverkusen’s hefty asking price. ..Continue Reading
Reports indicate that Liverpool are willing to pay a guaranteed £100 million for the talented playmaker, but negotiations over add-ons and payment structure remain unresolved.
Wirtz has not yet been granted permission to undergo a medical, as discussions between Liverpool and Leverkusen continue.
The Premier League club recently submitted a third bid, offering £100 million upfront with an additional £14 million in potential bonuses.
While the proposal fell short of Leverkusen’s valuation, it was not immediately rejected, keeping the deal alive.
Despite ongoing talks, Liverpool remain firm in their stance that they will not meet the full £126.5 million price tag. However, if the transfer is finalized, Wirtz will become the most expensive signing in Premier League history.
The 22-year-old has already turned down approaches from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, making it clear that Anfield is his preferred destination.
Gundogan, who has played alongside Wirtz for Germany, has praised his talent but believes he has yet to reach the highest level of the game.
He has also suggested that players like Wirtz and Jamal Musiala need to compete for Champions League titles to truly be considered among the elite—something Wirtz hopes to achieve with Liverpool.
With Gundogan missing out on the chance to be club teammates with Wirtz, the young midfielder could have been a natural successor to Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian’s departure from Manchester City.
However, Wirtz appears set to take his next step in England with Liverpool.
“They’re very close to world class. Maybe they are not yet there but they could be the best in the world in a short amount of time,” Gundogan said earlier this year.
“I feel like it is just proving themselves a little bit more. They are very young. Jamal has done a bit more than Florian because he played a little more at that high level.
“When you want to be on top and admired as the world’s best one day, it’s necessary to win the Champions League and Jamal has already played a few years in the Champions League but hasn’t won it yet.
“For Flo, it is the first season with Champions League with Leverkusen. To be there every single year, to try to get to the semis and final and win it at one point is unavoidable to be world class.
“Of course, they have the potential and the quality. I played with them for the last two years in the national team and both of them have everything and they prove it with their teams and the national team. They are both great guys and great characters so they will be there at one point.”
Bayern had been favourites to sign Wirtz before Liverpool stole a march on the Bavarians, while Man City ended their interest in the player for financial reasons.
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