Liverpool shell out club record R2.8 billion for Florian Wirtz

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million (R2.8 billion) to sign attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday.

British media reported that the Premier League champions would pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record.

Reports in Germany suggested the potential fee could rise to £127 million.

Spiralling costs

Liverpool’s total spend on the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield.

Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million.

Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool’s previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due.

Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiralling costs of the whole package.

Wirtz has been hailed as one of the “best in the world” by former Bayer Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid.

After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot’s first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

Wirtz’s Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong has already joined Liverpool while a deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is understood to be well-advanced.

Crucial role

Wirtz was played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso.

Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying the Werkself a memorable treble.

Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena.

Where Liverpool’s record signing fits into Slot’s plans remains to be seen.

Wirtz largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany.

A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer.

Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat.

However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition and Liverpool might sell to free up further transfer resources, with suggestions they could sign a specialist striker.