Liverpool have finally agreed a deal with Bayern Leverkusen to sign Florian Wirtz, according to a report.
Leverkusen have been resigned to losing Wirtz but are keen to maximise the finances they receive for their prized asset, who has his heart set on joining Liverpool after turning down Bayern Munich and Manchester City this summer.
On Friday, Liverpool tabled an offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz of £113million, which was a base £100m with the rest coming in add-ons. That was rejected as the German club were asking for around £126m.
The Germany star has been convinced by Arne Slot’s clear plan of where he will play in Liverpool’s set-up as a No 10.
The Reds have been locked in negotiations with the German outfit over a deal to sign the midfielder, and a £126.9million fee – which includes add-ons – has now been agreed on, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Though the initial fee is currently unclear, if all add-ons are at least met, Wirtz would become the most expensive signing in British football history, overtaking the £115m Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo.
Liverpool have agreed a £126.9million deal to sign Florian Wirtz, according to a report
The Germany midfielder has his heart set on joining Liverpool after weeks of negotiations
Reds manager Arne Slot has been keen to add to the squad that won the Premier League
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, had proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart Simon Rolfes with easily attainable performance-related bonuses, such as Champions League qualification.
The clubs had been yet to agree a final fee, but now seem to have reached an agreement over the move.
The initial transfer window deadline has closed as of 7pm BST on Tuesday, but the summer window will open on June 16.
A potential stumbling block for the deal had appeared in the form of a statement from Koln president Werner Wolf.
Wirtz joined Koln as a child in 2010 before making the switch to Leverkusen 10 years later as a 17-year-old.
According to FIFA’s rules, any club that has played a role in a player’s development between the age of 12 and 23 will receive five per cent of any transfer fee as ‘training compensation’.
Wirtz was at Koln for nine-and-a-half years from the age of seven and Wolf said his club are going to fight for what they feel they deserve.
Five per cent of the fee would see Koln pocket more than £5million from what could be a record transfer.
Wirtz will join former Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong (right) at Anfield
Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, had proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart with easily attainable performance-related bonuses
Wirtz could become the most expensive Premier League player of all-time, surpassing the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo
As per BILD, Wolf said: ‘Of course, we are looking into it. We know what we are entitled to and will fight for it.
‘We’re looking at this with both eyes. We’ll benefit from it. The higher the sum Liverpool is willing to pay, the better for us.’
The 22-year-old will be Liverpool’s second signing of the window as they look to bolster their side that won the Premier League – after Jeremie Frimpong.
