Liverpool close in on Wirtz with final offer set to test Leverkusen stance | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz to Liverpool: Talks Enter Final Stage as Record Fee Nears

Red Ambition Meets German Precision

Liverpool’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz is entering its most decisive phase, with Arne Slot preparing what is described as a ‘fourth and final’ bid to prise the prodigious German playmaker away from Bayer Leverkusen. While the Dutch head coach awaits a breakthrough, he has at least been told that if this signing goes through, it will be worth every last penny.

Wirtz has emerged as Liverpool’s priority target, one that could reshape their midfield and add an extra layer of technical brilliance to their attacking transitions. Having already rejected three proposals, Leverkusen are holding firm on their valuation of around £126 million, but there is cautious optimism that Liverpool’s next offer — expected imminently — may do the job. With personal terms already agreed and Wirtz committed to joining Slot’s side, the only remaining hurdle is the fee.

Photo: IMAGO

This is not just a transfer saga, but a statement of intent. In the post-Klopp era, Liverpool are moving quickly to assert that the standards will not slip. Wirtz, who has tallied 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 appearances, embodies the blend of youth, maturity and flair that modern Liverpool crave.

Price of Potential Greatness

Liverpool’s third bid, worth a reported £113 million — comprised of a £100 million upfront payment and £13 million in bonuses — was dismissed by Leverkusen. However, the Reds remain determined to secure a deal that would break their transfer record. The hope now is that their final proposal might still come in slightly under the Bundesliga champions’ asking price, but it remains to be seen whether Leverkusen will compromise.

As reported by Paul Joyce, negotiations are ongoing with Liverpool unwilling to back down. “Negotiations between the two clubs are continuing,” Joyce explained. “Leverkusen are still looking to squeeze a bigger fee from Liverpool.” Nevertheless, the expectation remains that a deal will be concluded — one which might define the early chapters of Arne Slot’s Anfield tenure.

Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail suggested a resolution may be close, noting that “Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for around £118m to wrap up the Florian Wirtz deal and the German club are braced for Liverpool to make another big-money bid in the next 24 hours.”

Inside the Player Liverpool Crave

Micah Richards has described Wirtz as “exceptional” on The Rest is Football podcast, adding: “Yeah, he’s worth it. He’s exceptional. Obviously, he’s got to do it in a league which is more physical. That is my only doubt. Tactically, he’s got it, technically, he’s got it. The way he manipulates the ball… he was a superstar from a young age, so he can deal with pressure.”

The admiration is widespread. Alan Shearer added: “I’ve seen him, I’ve seen him quite a bit this season with the Champions League. It’s a hell of a lot of money, but I think he will be a success. I would say the same in terms of the physical side of things. But with technical ability and all of that, he’s a very, very good player.”

There’s also a tactical puzzle to solve. Richards pondered whether Slot would use Wirtz in Dominik Szoboszlai’s advanced midfield role, or push him wider into the left-hand channel where he can cut inside and link up with the front three. “It’s just where does he fit into the system. Is he going to play him in (Dominik) Szoboszlai’s role, or is he going to play him out on the left-hand side? Because he can do both,” he said.

What is certain is Wirtz’s ability to handle pressure. From debuting as a teenager to becoming the centrepiece of Leverkusen’s title charge under Xabi Alonso, Wirtz has consistently delivered in key moments. And that is precisely what Liverpool need if they are to mount another serious domestic and European campaign.

Timeline of a Transfer Chase

The Wirtz deal has been in motion for weeks. Here’s how it’s unfolded:

Despite the drawn-out nature of these negotiations, there is a shared belief that Wirtz will become Liverpool’s latest statement signing. The player wants the move. The club is pushing hard. And the fee, though steep, aligns with the modern game’s top-tier valuations.

Slot’s Vision Begins to Take Shape

Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot is wasting no time in making his mark. Known for favouring dynamic attacking midfielders, Slot appears to view Wirtz as the perfect focal point for his offensive patterns. This is more than just a replacement or reinforcement. It is a signing to shape the identity of Slot’s Liverpool.

Shearer summed it up perfectly when he said, “It’s a hell of a lot of money, but I think he will be a success.” For a club with Liverpool’s ambition and European pedigree, it’s about investing in a player who can deliver decisive moments and dictate tempo in tight contests.

Richards added, “And honestly, Al, for £120million, he’s worth every single penny.” That belief now needs to be turned into reality through the final negotiation steps.

As the two clubs edge closer to a potential agreement, all eyes are on the next 24 to 48 hours. The arrival of Florian Wirtz could not only break records, but also signal the beginning of a bold, new Liverpool chapter under Arne Slot.