Liverpool are attempting to thrash out a potential club record deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz but they could still land the Germany star for a lower sum
Liverpool could yet attempt to use one of their own players as a sweetener in a deal for Florian Wirtz, with Bayer Leverkusen valuing the attacking midfielder at a staggering £126million.
Wirtz, 22, has emerged as a top target for the Reds after another stellar season in the Bundesliga under the guidance of a former Anfield favourite in Xabi Alonso. And while he was expected to stay in Germany amid transfer interest from Bayern Munich, it now seems likely Wirtz will head to the Premier League.
Landing Wirtz would be a major coup for Liverpool, who are fresh off winning the title in Arne Slot's maiden season. And while they could theoretically smash the British transfer record to get their man, it seems other options are also on the table.
Sky Sports Germany claim that the Reds could strike a deal for less than the £126m sum Leverkusen are holding out for if they send a player in the opposite direction.
Leverkusen, who are in talks to appoint Erik ten Hag as their new head coach, are said to be in the market for a goalkeeper, a central defender and a striker.
And that could pave the way for the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones or Harvey Elliott - all of whom have been linked with a summer exit - to be included in any potential deal.
The inclusion of a player would likely push the cost of a deal below the £115m British transfer record which was set by Chelsea when they signed Moises Caicedo back in the summer of 2023.
Leverkusen are thought to be keen on negotiating a deal promptly with Wirtz seemingly now set on moving on this summer. Liverpool are already poised to trigger the £30m release clause in the contract of Jeremie Frimpong, Leverkusen's right wing-back, as they ramp up their summer activity.
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Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with Wirtz in the recent months, with the former thought to be keen on him as Kevin De Bruyne's long-term successor before recently removing themselves from the picture.
Herbert Hainer, Bayern Munich's president, admitted defeat in their bid to sign Wirtz over the weekend, revealing: "Max Eberl (Bayern sporting director) informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will transpire with Leverkusen."