Florian Wirtz breaks silence over Liverpool transfer chase with clear new message | OneFootball

Reds preparing third huge bid for Bayer Leverkusen star, who has spoken out on key claim made in Germany

Florian Wirtz has hit out at speculation that he wants to take the No10 shirt at Liverpool.

The reigning Premier League champions are in the process of trying to sign Germany’s highly-rated forward this summer, looking to pair him again with Jeremie Frimpong, who has already swapped Bayer Leverkusen for Anfield to become the Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-term replacement at right-back in a deal worth £29.5million.

Liverpool have so far seen two bids for Wirtz rejected by Leverkusen, the second of which was said to total a club-record £109m, including bonuses and potential add-ons.

Negotiations have continued this week, with the Reds now believed to be preparing a huge third offer for the 22-year-old, who is said to only want to move to Liverpool following rival interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Leverkusen have been rumoured to want as much as €150m (£126m) for their top asset, who scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this term and was this week voted by his peers as the Bundesliga Player of the Season for the second year in a row.

It was reported in Germany on Tuesday that Wirtz was keen to take on the iconic No10 shirt at Liverpool, the same number he currently wears with Leverkusen having previously had the No27. He currently dons the No17 jersey when on international duty with Germany.

However, that first number at Anfield is currently occupied by influential World Cup-winning Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, having previously been worn by the likes of Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho in recent years.

Wirtz has now hit out at those reports over his alleged demands on social media, writing on X on Tuesday night: “Who says I want the 10?”

Wirtz is currently awaiting further developments on his desired move to Liverpool while away with the Germany squad, who take on Portugal in their Nations League semi-final tie in Munich on Wednesday night.