Liverpool closes a deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen -midfielder Florian Wirtz, prepared to make the Germany the most expensive player in their history internationally
Before he left Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp shared a permanent regret – one that could now significantly influence the efforts of the club to sign Florian Wirtz. The Reds are deep in advanced conversations with Bayer Leverkusen about the gifted midfielder and are ready to break their transfer record to take him to Anfield.
They recently made an offer worth £ 109 million plus add-ons, although reports indicate that Leverkusen is firmly on a rating that is closer to £ 120 million. To close the gap, a partial proposal of the exchange is considered, where Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah drove roads.
Under new head coach Arne Slot, both young people have seen a limited playing time, which means that only six Premier League starts between them during the 2024/25 campaign. Elliott in particular was mentioned in the starting XI in just six of the 56 games of the Reds in all competitions – a steep drop of his 27 starts under Klopp the season before.
Nevertheless, Klopp admitted that he “regretted” that he no longer gave Elliott starting opportunities. Speaking for his penultimate competition in May last year, the German said: “It's not that I get back and think,” Ok, what have we all done wrong? ” But if I regret it, it is that Harvey may not play often enough.
“Because in a very important, intense period – January, many injuries – he played really well. He was probably our best player – right wing, right midfield, all these things. Everyone came back and he had minutes, minutes there and he no longer started – [but he] came up, [and made a] Great impact. “
Leverkusen, now managed by former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, his admirers of both Elliott and Quansah, are open to an arrangement of Cash-Plus player. While Wirtz – the creative engine of the club – closer to the out exit, the use of an attacking midfielder such as Elliott in the deal would be very logical.
That said, the 22-year-old is not the only name on the shortlist of Leverkusen. James Mcatee from Manchester City, Andy Diouf from RC Lens, and Giannis Konstantelias of Paok are all taken into consideration.
In the meantime, the Bundesliga side is bracing the free transfer report of important defender Jonathan Tah, who is ready to become a member of Bayern Munich. That departure increases the attraction of recording Quansah, a position strengthened by Klopp's earlier compliments.
In January 2024 the manager was exuberant in his praise: “I liked Quansah from the moment I saw him [as a 16-year-old]”He said.” I know he is a good football player, which … is not rare … but quite special [for a centre back] – How calm is he on the ball.
“I didn't expect him to be so fast, so strong … But when we saw him, it was clear. He would be our solution. Now he is a good part of the team.”
Quansah has trouble making the same impression under lock, and with Liverpool who actively explores central defenders – including Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, Jorrel Hato from Ajax and Castle Lukeba from RB Leipzig – the Academy graduated brands that he slides away the defensive pikbevel.
Regardless of whether a player is packed in the agreement, Liverpool is expected to complete the signing of Wirtz in the coming weeks. The German international is ready to become the most expensive signing in the history of the club and to overshadow the £ 85 million that has been paid for Darwin Nunez.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are also willing to break Premier League records to do the deal – with Wirtz possibly the £ 111 million that Chelsea spent on Moises Caicateo in 2023.