Liverpool Football Club have officially announced the signing of German international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, smashing their previous club-record transfer fee. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joins the Reds on a five-year contract, solidifying Arne Slot's squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. The deal is reportedly worth an initial €125 million (£100 million), with a further €15 million in achievable add-ons and another €10 million in more difficult-to-reach add-ons. This could make Wirtz the third most expensive player in history if all add-ons are met.
Wirtz's arrival marks a significant statement of intent from Liverpool, who are looking to build upon their Premier League title-winning campaign. The signing also represents a major coup for the club, as they beat off competition from other top European sides, including Manchester City and Bayern Munich, for his signature. Wirtz himself reportedly expressed a preference for a move to Anfield, swayed by Liverpool's project and the opportunity to play in the Premier League.
The transfer fee eclipses Liverpool's previous record signing, Darwin Núñez, who arrived from Benfica in 2022 for a fee of £85 million. It also surpasses Chelsea's £115 million acquisition of Moises Caicedo in 2023, potentially setting a new British record transfer fee should all add-ons be activated. This substantial investment highlights Liverpool's ambition to remain at the summit of English football and compete for major honors on the European stage.
Wirtz's versatility is a key asset for Liverpool. While naturally a central attacking midfielder, he is also comfortable playing on either wing or as a false nine. This adaptability will provide Arne Slot with tactical flexibility and allow him to deploy Wirtz in various roles depending on the team's needs. Last season at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz showcased his creative abilities, scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists in 25 starts. His vision, technical skill, and ability to link play make him an ideal fit for Liverpool's attacking style.
Speaking after signing for Liverpool, Wirtz expressed his excitement about joining the club and his ambition to win trophies. He stated, "I feel very happy and very proud. Finally, it's done, and I was waiting for a long time... I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me... Last season they won the Premier League, so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious."
Wirtz will link up with his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, who also recently joined Liverpool. In addition to Wirtz and Frimpong, Liverpool are also reportedly close to signing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, further strengthening their squad. However, Jarell Quansah could be on his way to Bayer Leverkusen. These moves indicate a busy summer for Liverpool as they look to fine-tune their squad and maintain their competitive edge. The addition of Wirtz undoubtedly elevates Liverpool's attacking options and reinforces their position as one of Europe's top clubs.
