Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, with Bayern Munich believing the playmaker will not be joining them and is on track for a move to Anfield if he leaves Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Wirtz has been targeted by both clubs but is believed to favour Liverpool — although they would still need to agree a deal with Leverkusen, which is not a formality given the finances involved.
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The 22-year-old Germany international has already visited the north west of England to look for houses to live in, should the move proceed.
Wirtz is among the most sought-after attacking talents in world football, having played a key role in Leverkusen’s 2023-24 Bundesliga title-winning campaign. He provided 18 goals and 20 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions and was named Bundesliga player of the season as Leverkusen went unbeaten domestically.
He registered 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games this season as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga.
Wirtz’s Leverkusen contract runs through to 2027. The club’s CEO Fernando Carro said in April that Wirtz had a “very high chance” of staying at Leverkusen.
Speaking in May, the Germany international told Sports Illustrated he was “definitely keen” to leave his comfort zone “at some point and “experience something new”.
Wirtz has been capped 29 times at senior level since his debut in 2021 and was part of Julian Nagelsmann’s squad at the 2024 European Championship.
Analysis by Mark Carey
Arne Slot has most commonly used Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool’s attacking midfielder in his first season as Liverpool head coach, but the Hungary international has not necessarily shown all the traits you would typically associate with a player in that position.
Szoboszlai has been a crucial cog in Slot’s system, but as much for his off-ball energy in and out of possession as any of his qualities with the ball at his feet.
Underlapping runs have been a crucial part of Liverpool’s attacking play this season, with Szoboszlai’s selfless running dragging opposition defenders with him — making space for the wingers to come inside and swing in back-post crosses to an onrushing team-mate.
While his selfless running is valuable, a return of five Premier League goals and six assists from 34 league appearances so far suggests there is room for improvement in Szoboszlai’s attacking output — something Slot called out early on.
Wirtz’s basic attacking numbers are stronger, with 21 goals and 23 assists in the Bundesliga since the start of last season illustrating greater potency at the sharp end of the pitch, albeit while playing in a different league.
They are different types of footballers. Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai’s macro traits of energy and power. Both skill sets have their place depending on the opposition — if he joined them, Wirtz’s close control and ball-carrying would add another dimension to Liverpool’s attack rather than transform it.
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Wirtz’s ability to play anywhere across the front line would add an extra layer of versatility to Slot’s tactical setup, allowing him to rotate his attacking options during and between games without any decrease in quality. Whether dropping into pockets against deep blocks, pulling wide to evade his marker, or carrying the ball upfield single-handedly, Wirtz can do a bit of everything.
Slot’s first season has seen Liverpool scoring through their wide players rather than depending on a centre-forward. Wirtz could fit brilliantly into that mould, alleviating the need to sign a top striker, a notoriously difficult market. Given his youth, he could also help Liverpool prepare for life after Salah, who turns 33 next month.
(Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
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