Liverpool his favorites to sign the German superstar Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer after an offer, while Rivals Manchester United himself has been left behind
The failure of Manchester United to sign their 'Top Target' Florian Wirtz will come back to chase them while Liverpool comes close to the German sensation. Liverpool is currently in conversation with Bayer Leverkusen after he has convinced Wirtz and his representatives that his future is in Merseyside.
The 22-year-old family recently flew to Liverpool to look at houses in northwestern England, because he was impressed by the vision of Arne Slot for him and the Premier League winners in the future.
The Reds have since submitted an opening bid of £ 85 million plus add-ons for the German international upon receipt of the green light from owners Fenway Sports Group. That amount falls short of Leverkusen's appreciation of the player, where the German side is understood as a deal that would break the Premier League transfer record, determined by Chelsea's £ 115 million movement for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
Yet Wirtz's preference means to join Liverpool above Bayern Munich, the Premier League champions are very the front runners to secure the signature of their long-term objective, with negotiations between the two clubs and an agreement probably very fast.
Such news will be received particularly poorly in certain Manchester circles after they have given the opportunity to sign him three and a half months ago.
During the short spell of Ralf Rangnick who was in charge of Old Trafford, the then-interim manager put together a long list of his top transfer goals for the United Hierarchy to get.
Rangnick was appointed in December 2021 and is expected to start a two-year consultancy performance as soon as a permanent successor was identified at the end of the season. Prior to his first transfer window at the helm in January 2022, his wish list included people like Josko Gvardiol, Christopher Nunku and Erling Haaland.
But an 18-year-old Wirtz was the German priority goal. Wirtz then enjoyed a meteorical turnout in Leverkusen and became the youngest player ever in the club's Bundesliga with his debut shortly after his 17th birthday in March 2020. With eight goals and eight assists the following season he earned a call-up to the Senior Germany team in March 2021.
Rangnick had hoped that the draw of the Premier League and Old Trafford Wirtz could convince to join United. The report claimed that a transfer costs of £ 60 million would have been sufficient to convince Leverkusen to separate.
United, however, chose to make signing sessions in January 2022, to the great frustration of Rangnick. And the interim boss left the club in May after winning only 11 of its 31 games, ending the chase of the Red Devils of Wirtz.
Since then, the attacking middle fell has become one of the smartest talents of European football thanks to its versions under Xabi Alonso. He played a crucial role when Leverkusen completed an unbeaten domestic double last season, putting him on the radar of clubs such as Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Newly crowned German champions Bayern were calmly convinced that they could close a deal this summer for Wirtz, who has contraction with Leverkusen until 2027. However, that fell apart after Wirtz and his parents who represent him in negotiations with Bayern Chief Max Eberl, Club Supremo Hoenheid and head coach Vincent Kompany.
It is understood that they left the meeting and left for him with a lack of clarity around Bayern's plans. The opposite happened when she met Liverpool, which made an impression because of a depth of knowledge around Wirtz, so that they could push in the queue.
Leverkusen's director Simon Rolfes confirmed this week that Liverpool has “concrete interest” in him. “[Wirtz is] One of our players, “said Rolfes at the press conference to reveal new head coach Erik ten Hag on Monday.” Of course there is a lot of interest. There is concrete interest from Liverpool, but there is no longer to say. Florian is our player. “
The Blockbuster deal for Wirtz is only part of Liverpool's plans for the summer transfer window, with his Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong on his way to Anfield in a £ 29.5 million deal, while Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez is also important. Their potential arrivals are clear evidence of the pulling power to win, whereby Slot can convince players after his Premier League title victory.
On the positive side for United and Ruben Amorim, they come close to completing the signing of Matheus Cunha van Wolves for £ 62.5 million, with a medical on their way for the Brazilian attacker.