Liverpool is interested in signing Florian Wirtz, but they should receive the guarantees that he wanted to leave Germany before he made an offer.
The expectation is at the moment that the attacking midfielder will remain in Bayer Leverkusen, where he has a contact until 2027, or moves to Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen value Wirtz, 22, at € 150 million (£ 126 million), so he would cost Liverpool considerably more than the club record £ 75 million they paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in 2017.
Although it is more likely that Wirtz will stay in Germany, Liverpool has not given up to sign it this summer.
With the Premier League title three weeks ago it has already started with the speculation about where Liverpool will strengthen their team in preparation for a renewed challenge of the will of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Bayer Leverkusen Defender Jeremie Frimpong looks like the first through the door with the club that activates its £ 30m release clause.
But Arne Slot admits that he must also find a way to keep happy fringe players who can hardly be seen, because he has adhered to a core group of about 14 players.
“I have often said that as a club we are very happy with the players we have,” he said.
“Part of it is our decision, but in some situations players who haven't played much don't look forward to another season that doesn't play much.
“So there is always a continuous process and we must ensure that we are prepared if we can strengthen the team.
“But it's hard to strengthen this team. There is a reason why we won the competition – because we have so many great players.
“It is a continuous process that we are talking about. I think this club has shown so often in the past that they will make the right decisions.
“And this season we made the right decision not to get a player at all – except Federico Chiesa [for £10m] – And that worked very well. “
Man city cool interest in Wirtz
In the meantime, Manchester City has cooled their interest in Wirtz, Sky Sports News understands.
The city is not expected to follow their first discussions with the player and his entourage.
That is largely up to the considerable costs of a deal, which could reach no less than £ 250 million (€ 300 million), including transfer costs and wages in a long -term contract.
Sky Germany reports that Leverkusen is demanding for his transfer to the north of £ 126 million (€ 150 million) and Bayern München continues to be in conversation for the attacking medium fan.