Liverpool move to brink of British record £126m agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz after German opted to join Premier League champions
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Liverpool on Tuesday night moved to the brink of agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a British record fee for Florian Wirtz.
The clubs have outlined a package worth up to £126million including add-ons - outstripping the £115m Chelsea paid to Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023.
Final details are being ironed out but the Germany international had already made it clear that he wanted to join Liverpool over a fortnight ago.
Liverpool made an offer of £113m last week which was rejected at the weekend, but talks have continued with sporting director Richard Hughes determined to land what the club consider a generational talent.
The proposed outlay underlines Liverpool's ambition to return to the top of the pile in Europe following last season's Premier League triumph.
They have already signed Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen and plan to add Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth once Wirtz is wrapped up.
They still have designs on improving their forward options and centre of defence before the end of the summer.
The 22-year old Wirtz is regarded as one of the best playmakers in European football and has already spoken in detail with manager Arne Slot over how he will fit into the Dutchman's plans.
Wirtz has 31 caps for Germany and turned down proposed moves to Bayern Munich and Manchester City this summer.
