Liverpool and Bayern battle for £126m target after Man City step away | OneFootball

Liverpool and Bayern Compete for Wirtz as Man City Exit £126m Transfer Race

Premier League and Bundesliga giants circle Leverkusen star

Liverpool are locked in a transfer battle with Bayern Munich for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz after Manchester City stepped back due to financial concerns. The Times reports that the 22-year-old Germany international, widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest creative players, is being valued at €150 million (approximately £126 million) by Leverkusen.

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City’s withdrawal has dramatically shifted the dynamic. Initially considered favourites due to Pep Guardiola’s admiration for Wirtz as a potential Kevin De Bruyne successor, City have decided not to proceed, citing a total package that could exceed £250 million in transfer fees and wages. This leaves Liverpool and Bayern as the frontrunners, with the Premier League side aiming to present a compelling sporting project under new manager Arne Slot.

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Liverpool are already believed to have made contact with Leverkusen and are positioning Wirtz as a priority target. A move would break the Reds’ club record, which currently stands at £75 million — the fee paid to Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in 2018.

Slot’s rebuild gathers pace with multiple targets identified

Wirtz is not the only Bundesliga-based player on Liverpool’s radar. Jeremie Frimpong, the Netherlands international who operates predominantly on the right flank, has a £30 million release clause and is expected to finalise a move to Merseyside once the window opens. The player has reportedly been granted permission to undergo a medical.

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In addition, Liverpool retain strong interest in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, although the £45 million asking price has prompted the club to explore alternatives, with Ajax’s Jorel Hato among the names under consideration.

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There is a clear sense of acceleration around Liverpool’s summer strategy. As Van Dijk recently alluded to, this is expected to be a “big summer” for a squad in transition following Jurgen Klopp’s departure. Slot, fresh from a title-winning season in the Eredivisie, appears keen to make a statement in the market early.

Wirtz driven by trophies, not just finances

Florian Wirtz’s personal outlook may give Liverpool an edge in negotiations. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, the playmaker emphasised that silverware, not salary, drives his decisions. “The sporting perspective is much more important than money. My parents would be angry if I ever gave money priority,” he said.

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That mindset aligns with Liverpool’s pitch — a chance to join an ambitious side competing for domestic and European titles, led by a progressive manager with a proven record of developing players.

Adding a layer of intrigue to proceedings are comments from Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness, who suggested Wirtz “was at Liverpool” last week during a period when many assumed he was in talks with Manchester City. Liverpool have denied any meeting took place.

Liverpool or Bayern — decision time for Wirtz

The contest is now shaping into a straight shootout between two of Europe’s biggest clubs. Bayern, the dominant force in German football, offer Wirtz the chance to remain in familiar surroundings. However, Liverpool present a different proposition — a step into the Premier League, the opportunity to be a central figure in a rebuild, and the promise of regular European football.

Leverkusen, for their part, are under no immediate pressure to sell. Wirtz is under contract until 2027 and remains central to their plans. However, interest in the player is not expected to diminish, especially after being named the club’s player of the season following a domestic Double in 2023–24.

Should he move this summer, it would be one of the most high-profile transfers in recent windows, and one that could shape both Liverpool’s and Bayern’s seasons to come.

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This is exactly the kind of ambition fans wanted to see after Klopp. Wirtz is not just another promising talent — he’s already world-class. Watching him light up the Bundesliga this past season was like seeing a throwback to prime Coutinho, but with more end product. If Liverpool can pull this off, we’re talking about a player who could define the next generation at Anfield.

Arne Slot clearly has a plan. Bringing in Frimpong and pushing for someone like Wirtz suggests the rebuild isn’t just talk. These are smart, explosive players who would raise the technical ceiling of the entire team.

And let’s not ignore the context — beating Bayern Munich to a top German talent is no small feat. That shows they’re serious. City backing out is a bonus, but this deal should be done on merit, not by default.

Sure, the fee is massive. But this is what top clubs do when they believe in a player. Wirtz has said himself that he’s not chasing paycheques. He wants trophies.