- Liverpool are front-runners to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, 22
- Wirtz, a German international, is one of the most in-demand players in Europe
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is Ruben Amorim too honest?
Liverpool are continuing talks for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz after offering £109m for him and the German club are considering whether to ask for a player in return.
Mail Sport understands the Reds are close to demolishing the British transfer record for the Bayer Leverkusen star.
Leverkusen want £126million for the 22-year-old but it is understood that middle ground will be found quickly.
Wirtz has made it clear he wants to move to Anfield and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, has proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart Simon Rolfes with easily attainable performance-related bonuses, such as Champions League qualification.
However, the Bundesliga outfit – who also hold an interest in Man City‘s James McAtee – are now discussing the possibility of bringing a Liverpool player to the BayArena as part of the deal.
Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah are both admired by Leverkusen, and either could be proposed as makeweight.
Liverpool are continuing talks for Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz after offering £109m
Erik ten Hag’s side may look to bring a Liverpool player to Germany as part of a potential deal
Harvey Elliott (3rd right) and Jarell Quansah (left) are both admired by Bayer Leverkusen
Both stars are highly rated at Liverpool, but they struggled for regular gametime in 2024-25.
Quansah made just four Premier League starts, while Elliott only began two league games and the pair are likely to attract significant interest this summer.
Meanwhile, according to sources in Germany, in the original Wirtz deal proposed by Liverpool, five percent of the transfer fee will be distributed among the clubs he played for between the ages of 12 and 23; Wirtz joined Leverkusen in January 2020 from FC Köln and they are due in the region of €3 million (£2.53m).
Other clauses would include Liverpool having to pay Leverkusen if they win the Premier League again or the Champions League but these are not going to prove sticking points and the indications are they could shake hands at €143million (£120m).
One of the biggest decisions Fenway Sports Group made on becoming Liverpool’s owners was to shatter the British transfer record for Andy Carroll in January 2011, when they spent £35million to sign him from Newcastle.
They have pushed the boat in the intervening years, doing deals for Mo Salah (£36.9m, June 2017), Naby Keita (£50m, June 2017), Virgil van Dijk (£75m, January 2018) and Darwin Nunez (£85m, June 2022) but going beyond £100million for the first time is a huge statement of intent.
Elsewhere, it promises to be a busy summer for Liverpool, who are planning to finalise a £40m deal for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
The Reds have also agreed an £18million deal with Brentford to sell goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Elliott and Quansah are highly rated but they struggled for regular gametime this season
Any deal for Wirtz, who is keen to join Liverpool, is likely to break the British transfer record
The Republic of Ireland international will replace Mark Flekken who is joining Leverkusen for £9m.
Kelleher, 26, only had one year left on his contract and Liverpool were looking for around £20m for the dependable stopper.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid has now been confirmed with Liverpool banking £8.4m for allowing him to join in time for the Club World Cup.
Liverpool similarly expect to sell Darwin Nunez, who has interest from Saudi Arabia, while Luis Diaz is a target for Al-Nassr.
If the Reds cash in on Nunez, they are likely to add a new centre forward.
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Bayer Leverkusen interested in TWO Liverpool stars as Erik ten Hag’s side consider asking for a player in talks over £109m Florian Wirtz deal