Liverpool offer player swap deal to land £126m-rated Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Liverpool Eye Florian Wirtz as Transfer Dominoes Line Up

Liverpool Move for Wirtz Gains Momentum

Liverpool’s transfer window strategy appears to be shifting dramatically, with talks intensifying over Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking talisman Florian Wirtz. According to the Daily Star, the Reds are looking to structure a deal that sends a player the other way in order to soften the blow of Leverkusen’s reported £126 million valuation — a sum that would shatter the current British transfer record.

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This negotiation tactic could be decisive, especially after “other clubs withdrew from negotiations due to Wirtz’s hefty price tag.” The idea of a player-plus-cash offer is gaining traction, with Anfield chiefs Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes driving talks at pace.

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Potential Player Swaps in the Mix

Leverkusen are reportedly on the hunt for reinforcements in several key areas. A goalkeeper, central defender, striker and attacking midfielder are all on their radar — and Liverpool may have the assets to oblige. The likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are “potential options in negotiations,” giving the Reds flexibility in structuring a deal.

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Discussions remain ongoing as to whether any outgoing Liverpool player would depart permanently or on loan. Regardless, “any of those players heading to the BayArena would likely bring Wirtz’s fee below the record £115m that Chelsea shelled out to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in 2023.”

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Bayern Concede Ground in Wirtz Race

The balance of power in this high-stakes transfer battle appears to be tipping towards Merseyside. Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has openly conceded that “Max Eberl (Bayern sporting director) informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can’t say how things will transpire with Leverkusen.”

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It marks a remarkable U-turn. Bayern were “previously believed to be favourites,” having engaged in quiet talks with Wirtz’s father, Hans-Joachim. Initially, there was belief that Wirtz would remain in Germany, but a shift in preference occurred just before the player’s summer holiday, with his father reportedly informing Bayern’s hierarchy that Liverpool had emerged as the desired destination.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s hard not to get excited about this. Florian Wirtz isn’t just a name — he’s a generational talent with the vision, control and technical sharpness that Liverpool fans dream about. With Arne Slot now overseeing a transitional period at Anfield, adding a player like Wirtz would be a definitive statement of intent.

Fans may be concerned about losing the likes of Harvey Elliott or Curtis Jones, who represent the club’s future. But if one of them is the key to unlocking a deal for Wirtz, many would argue it’s a risk worth taking. “You have to give up quality to gain world-class,” one could say. Wirtz could be the creative heartbeat Liverpool have lacked since Philippe Coutinho.

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With Bayern admitting defeat and Liverpool’s top brass moving swiftly, this feels like a defining summer. If Edwards and Hughes get this over the line, it could be one of the boldest and smartest plays in recent Liverpool history.