Sander Westerveld: £116m summer signing is worth every penny | OneFootball

Westerveld Backs Wirtz to Shine as Liverpool’s £116m Gamble Looks Justified

Club legend gives glowing verdict on Liverpool’s record signing

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has thrown his support behind the club’s bold £116 million move for Florian Wirtz, insisting the midfielder is worth every penny.

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“He’s definitely worth the money, he’s a little magician,” Westerveld told PA. “I don’t want to compare him with other players but he is definitely going to be one of the most exciting players next season.”

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The backing by Westerveld only adds to the growing optimism around the 21-year-old’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, as Liverpool look to build a new era under Arne Slot.

Summer spending signals shift in transfer strategy

Wirtz joins fellow Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, along with Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, in what is quickly becoming a statement summer for Liverpool.

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This flurry of high-profile arrivals has already pushed the club’s transfer spend beyond £200 million, making it the most significant outlay since 2018 under Fenway Sports Group.

“Finally, you would say,” Westerveld quipped. “Last season they only bought [Federico] Chiesa, so they haven’t spent in the last couple of years as other teams have but I think it was the right moment now.”

Foundations for a new-look Liverpool

There is a feeling of momentum around Anfield. Westerveld is convinced the squad is heading in the right direction, and sees Wirtz as a central figure in that transition.

Photo: IMAGO

“Wirtz is one of the best players in Europe and that is really helpful for Liverpool,” he said. “It’s really exciting to see the team coming together now.”