Liverpool are desperate to complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this summer but are struggling to agree on a fee - though club legend Steven Gerrard feels the club should do what it takes to get the signing done
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has urged his former club to do what's necessary to sign Florian Wirtz this summer, with the Reds still attempting to strike a deal with Bayer Leverkusen. The German talent is one of Europe's hottest properties after some stunning form in the Bundesliga in recent seasons.
Wirtz managed 16 goals and 13 assists in all competitions as he helped Leverkusen to a second placed finish in the German top flight.
Last season, his incredible displays inspired the team to their first ever Bundesliga title win as they also claimed the German Cup and reached the Europa League final.
Now Liverpool look like frontrunners to sign the 22-year-old after Arne Slot held discussions with the player and convinced them Anfield was the perfect place for his future development, ahead of rivals Bayern Munich.
The reigning Premier League champions now need to agree on a fee for Wirtz, with the German outfit holding out for around £125million.
Liverpool have already had two bids rejected after initially offering £84 with £12.6m in bonus. After that was rejected they upped it again and tabled an overall package which totalled £109.6m, but both were ultimately knocked back reports Kicker.
Now Gerrard has told Liverpool to "make it happen" after hailing him as a "big talent" who has a "huge future in front of him".
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: "There are rumours obviously, Florian Wirtz. A big talent, who's done fantastic for Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. He's got a huge future in front of him, so if Liverpool is the place for him, let's hope we can make it happen."
Liverpool are also in the running to sign left-back Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth after also landing right-back Jeremie Frimpong as Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement.
Gary Neville has weighed in on Liverpool's quest to sign Wirtz, claiming they will have a big chance of retaining their title if they can pull off the signing, along with Kerkez.
"I think when you're talking about winning the league, what is it that improves you? I mean, the only thing that's going to improve you when you win the league is signing world-class players, or players that have got the potential to be world-class players. So signing Wirtz is fantastic.
"Frimpong and then there's talk of Kerkez as well, deals with their right and left-back situations. So to get those three done, if they were to get those three done quite quickly, would be smart business. But I wouldn't have expected anything else from Liverpool.
"[I'm] Maybe slightly surprised that they've gone so heavy on Wirtz in terms of the fee. They don't normally go that big, but Slot deserves it, by the way. He waited 12 months for a player to sign."
Zawdilmnpz
0
but llets be hone we need a left foot centre back too sometimes Konate too ae not releable what if VVD go on injuries for 2 or 3 month
Zawdilmnpz
0
sign him Macalister need a help the rest is fatique i just check salah the last 5 games the guy is finish no more reliable he manage just.i goal
Rowadeimnu
0
nice message from jerrald Liverpool need to do it fast to sign wirtz and kerkez , after that they can now relax to see the player who want to leave and stay that's wen they can go back to transfer again but too much delayment
sesabkorsz
0
why going for something you can't manage to get please let's look for something else which we can manage you want good players with less money mmmmm please stop this behavior
Lidabimrst
0
Am just waiting to see this Wirtz tonight against Vitina and then talk
TariqueHaye17
0
Wirtz won't guarantee anything. So I would not be disappointed if this deal not go through. But Cherki is a very good alternative otherwise.
cheri is going to city
TariqueHaye17
0
Liverpool is too smart to splash the money, moreover Liverpool also respects the current squad. Liverpool would reject whoever wants the current shirt no., vacant number is only available for the new coming player!
it's all lies about shirt number
TariqueHaye17
0
they want to buy expensive player but dont enough money to pay😂😂😂
who told you they don't got enough, they're just negotiating
TariqueHaye17
0
Buy cherki!
he's going to city
Fubbeilrt
1
Honestly, I’ve already foreseen this deal collapsing. We all know how LFC operates—smart spending over splashing big cash. As much as Wirtz would be an incredible signing, his price tag clearly doesn’t align with our transfer strategy. Rather than dragging it out, it’s better the club redirects focus to more realistic, quality alternatives. We've unearthed gems before, and we can do it again.
Fubbeilrt
1
As much as Florian Wirtz is a top talent and would be a dream addition to the squad, let’s be honest--LFC has never been the club to spend outrageous fees on a single player. If the valuation is too high and there's no realistic path to getting him, then the recruitment team should be pragmatic and look at other quality options within our budget. We've always succeeded by being smart in the market, not reckless. Time to focus on value, not just hype.
samuel5717
0
not after signing him with huge fees now he will say he wants to go to Madrid ooh
Fakbeopy
3
I agree with Gerard get him. It’s not like us to go spending big money on big players but if we plan to defend the title and go for campion’s league we need the players with the right mentality and drive to win. At this point we don’t have time to teach players how to win. We already have a good group of players we just need that extra kick to make us unstoppable.
Pasabilmnt
1
I remember the ex talisman pleading with his former club to sign Jude but Liverpool were short of what Dortmund needed. Top players attract investment and we sincerely need this one.
Yeobdeiopr
1
ls he that good
fembknpsy
0
Liverpool should go for Plan B, leave Wirtz at Leverkusen.
Cooldaddy3
1
Buy cherki!
Cooldaddy3
0
I'm still don't understand why Liverpool desperate on this player.. Yes, he is good talent but the value is too huge.. Liverpool is a place to producing future star, not buying New star..
Inflation
ksantos
0
looks like Bayer wants to cash in on this player, but the price tag is too much, I don't think it suits with Liverpool business strategy
saifulbahrie
0
I'm still don't understand why Liverpool desperate on this player.. Yes, he is good talent but the value is too huge.. Liverpool is a place to producing future star, not buying New star..
cihacdkosz
0
he is over valued. no need to pay so much. we are not as smart as Los bloncos, museum united MU, Bayern munchen, fraud city , bottlers gunners, billionaire bottlers whom BUYs champions not not groom champions
Neadenpstu
0
they want to buy expensive player but dont enough money to pay😂😂😂
skintalonia and broke Madrid rather get freebies
Zeyceilpsu
0
they want to buy expensive player but dont enough money to pay😂😂😂
Vepabensuy
2
not with such amount for a single player. I like how talented Wirtz is but the price seems too much
Singapore1183229
2
Not worth it. But they are trying to sell him to Bayern Munich for half that price. Please pull out you can watch the fun.
Nescdilmy
0
Liverpool is too smart to splash the money, moreover Liverpool also respects the current squad. Liverpool would reject whoever wants the current shirt no., vacant number is only available for the new coming player!
Kanbcmnps
3
Wirtz won't guarantee anything. So I would not be disappointed if this deal not go through. But Cherki is a very good alternative otherwise.
tadabensuy
0
yes
tadabensuy
2
I 💯% agree with Steven Gerrard. Wirtz is the missing piece in Liverpool's puzzle.