A director of Bayer Leverkusen has explained how Liverpool won the race to sign Florian Wirtz in a record -breaking deal.
German Wirtz became the second signing of the Reds of the summer transfer window when he put a pen on paper on 20 June in a deal in a movement that could rise to £ 116 million.
That would surpass the current British transfer record, which was held by Chelsea from the moment they signed Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £ 115 million two years ago. However, Liverpool was willing to splash the money to get their husbands.
The deal was completed after a saga that lasted a few weeks, in which sports director Richard Hughes led discussions with Leverkusen and Arne Slot who sold Wirtz a vision to play as an attacking midfielder.
But now fans have gained insight into the deal from the point of view of Leverkusen, where the German side keeps their appreciation before they complete a deal.
Sports director Simon Rolfes, Simon Rolfes, told how Liverpool Manchester City and Bayern Munich beat the signature of the 22-year-old.
“The requirement of Florian was that everyone felt comfortable with the move,” he said. “He literally told us that he hoped that Bayer 04 would also be happy with the result.
'There was not a single moment (where we realized that he wanted to leave), but rather a development. Our goal was to extend Florian's contract and to keep him for at least another year. Gradually we felt that he was more interested in making a move.
'From February and March the discussions were more focused on other clubs and other competitions. We always knew what he thought. We knew from the parents with whom they spoke. The clubs from abroad have also informed us and they have dealt with the business in a very professional and serious way.
“In May he told us that he had decided to join Liverpool. I believe he fits very well with Liverpool. The club has treated him very seriously. Florian was made to understand that they know exactly why they want him. This approach was a very important aspect of the general package for him
'All clubs that had contacted us in advance were clear about the region in which the transfer would take place. We only negotiated with Liverpool after Florian told us that this was his favorite club. It was clear to me from the start of the negotiations that it would work. Of course everyone fights for their position, but it was always respectful.
'The people at both clubs know each other so well that a face-to-face meeting was not necessary. We have treated the transaction by telephone, via e -mail and via video conference. '
Heartbroken Liverpool players have meanwhile shared their tribute and memories of Diogo Jota after his death in a car accident at the age of 28.
Jota traveled in a car with his brother Andre, 26, who was also a football player, when the vehicle left the road and the tragic news only two weeks after Jota married his long -term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto.
The band of his Lamborghini, reportedly a £ 150,000 Urus SUV, is said to have been blown out during the catching up of the A-52 in Cernadilla near Zamora in northwestern Spain, close to the border with Portugal.
The Supercar came from the road, then rolled and bursting in flames around 12.35, and also ignited the surrounding vegetation.
The emergency services were called, but the brothers could not be saved.
Darwin Nunez was the first of the Liverpool players who posted and shared a photo of him and Jota who celebrate a goal in Anfield.
The Uruguayan wrote: 'There are no words to comfort you for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, like a good teammate on and next to the field.
'I send all my strength to your family, where I am sure he will always be with you, especially your wife and three children. Rip Diogo and Andre. '
Luis Diaz added a message to his Instagram story, where Jota held the shirt up with Diaz on the back when the father's father was abducted from the Colombians.