Wirtz's transfer U-turn and swap deal plan leaves Liverpool with three options

Liverpool are tantalisingly close to sealing a blockbuster move for Bayer Leverkusen superstar Florian Wirtz, but must ramp up their efforts in order to get a deal over the line

Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen prodigy, has emerged as one of Europe's most coveted talents. The German attacking midfielder, lauded for his vision, technical brilliance, and knack for unlocking defences, is a top target for Liverpool, who view him as a transformative addition and a midfield cornerstone for years to come.

With Leverkusen having already rejected a reported £114million bid, the Reds' pursuit of Wirtz has hit a critical juncture. Negotiations are now entangled in financial complexities, aesthetic considerations, and a pair of bold potential swap deals.

While Liverpool remain confident, they'll need to step up their efforts if they're to get this blockbuster move over the line. This leaves them with three compelling options, each of which could pave the way for one of the biggest transfers in football history. Here, Mirror Football breaks down the key developments and where things stand in the race to land Wirtz.

Option 1: Break the bank

The simplest, yet most daunting, route is for Liverpool to meet Leverkusen's stratospheric valuation, which stands at €150m (£127m). A fee north of £115m would smash the British transfer record, set by Chelsea when they bought Moises Caicedo from Brighton in 2023 - a move Liverpool nearly hijacked.

It would be a bold statement of intent, particularly for a club that waltzed their way to the Premier League title in 2024/25. Wirtz's flair and vision are seen as the missing piece in a midfield already boasting Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch - and the Reds clearly believe he could propel the team to new heights.

Yet, such a colossal outlay would stretch even Fenway Sports Group's (FSG) deep pockets, potentially curbing funds for other targets, such as a new centre forward. It's a high-risk, high-reward move that would signal Liverpool's unyielding ambition and their belief in Wirtz's ability to live up to a monumental price tag.

That said, the added burden of becoming the most expensive player in British football history is something Liverpool appear keen to sidestep. Their recent £114m bid - just £1 million below the current record - suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid that pressure.

But if they're serious about landing the German, breaking the record now looks inevitable. Unless, that is, they get creative with the structure of the deal. Which brings us to...

Option 2: Leverkusen 'swap deal'

Liverpool could decide to leverage Bayer Leverkusen's long-standing interest in Curtis Jones as a makeweight. The 24-year-old Liverpool academy graduate has impressed with his dynamism and versatility, catching Leverkusen's eye in the past few months.

Including Jones in the deal could significantly reduce Wirtz's eye-watering fee, making the transfer more palatable for Liverpool's accountants and sparing Wirtz the strain of being a record buy. But, parting with Jones - a homegrown talent who embodies the club's spirit - would sting supporters and risk weakening the squad's depth.

Manager Arne Slot is a big admirer of Jones, having used him in 46 of Liverpool's 56 matches in all competitions this season. Jones is considered a big part of the club's long-term future and isn't on the chopping block by any means, but if sending him to Leverkusen unlocks the Wirtz deal then it might be worth considering.

After all, Wirtz's arrival could reduce Jones' playing time. Both players operate in similar areas of the pitch, and with competition for places already fierce heading into the 2025/26 season, the addition of a record signing - unlikely to be rotated or benched - could push Jones towards the edges of the squad.

No doubt, this is a proposal that demands a delicate balance between ruthless ambition and emotional loyalty. But given the magnitude of the deal - and what's at stake - it's a dilemma worth serious consideration.

Option 3: Bayern 'swap deal'

Another option involves raising funds by selling Cody Gakpo to Bayern Munich, who have shown interest in the Dutch forward. Gakpo, versatile and industrious, has been a key - if, admittedly, dispensable - part of Liverpool's front-line, but Bayern's need for attacking reinforcements could see them table a substantial offer.

It's understood that Slot is reluctant to lose Gakpo, but would be open to a sale if the offer is too good to refuse. Interestingly, Bayern - previously front-runners to sign Wirtz - have reportedly shelved their plans to sign a No. 10 in favour of strengthening their attack.

The Bundesliga champions are set to lose Leroy Sane this summer, and view Gakpo as an ideal replacement: a natural goalscorer capable of operating both on the wings and centrally to provide cover for Harry Kane. But luring him to the Allianz Arena won't be easy.

The Netherlands international has just enjoyed his best season at Liverpool, notching 25 goal contributions in 49 appearances. As such, the Reds have significant leverage, and Mirror Football understands they'd only consider selling him for a bid in the region of £75m.

If that price is met, the money could be used to cover roughly half of Wirtz's transfer fee, helping preserve Liverpool's summer budget. However, losing a Premier League-proven performer, one showing signs of steady improvement, would be a tough pill to swallow - but one they might have to in order to secure Wirtz.

Wirtz's U-turn

As noted earlier, Wirtz was widely anticipated to join Bayern Munich this summer. The German giants have long perfected the art of recruiting top talent from their Bundesliga rivals and were reportedly confident of landing Wirtz after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and a direct charm offensive.

However, they were ultimately outcharmed by Liverpool, who managed to turn the midfielder's head. In a gesture of respect and class, it later emerged that Wirtz personally phoned Bayern boss Vincent Kompany to inform him of his decision and explain his reasons, according to Bild.

It suggests that the youngster will not only bring his jaw-dropping ability to Merseyside, but also a notable level of maturity, if indeed the transfer is completed. This maturity may help to explain Liverpool's willingness to shatter the British transfer record to sign him.

Owners FSG reportedly greenlit a mega-money approach last month after chief executive Michael Edwards travelled to the US to personally present the case for Wirtz's value. It's also understood that the German international was captivated not just by the electric atmosphere at Anfield during Leverkusen's Champions League clash with Liverpool last year, but also by the club's Melwood training ground, where Leverkusen trained the following day.

The road ahead

Liverpool stand at a crossroads in their pursuit of Wirtz. They must choose between shattering the British transfer record, sacrificing Gakpo to Bayern, or using Jones as a bargaining chip with Leverkusen.

Wirtz's U-turn has handed the Reds a golden opportunity, but with Leverkusen's steely resolve - and Bayern still lurking in the background - the stakes remain sky-high. Despite rumours of a done deal, no contract has been signed, and Liverpool's next move will undoubtedly define their transfer window.

For the Anfield faithful, the wait is agonising, but the prospect of Wirtz orchestrating their midfield next season and beyond is a dream worth holding out for.