There’s been plenty of back and forth between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in recent days.
The Merseysiders have seen multiple offers for Florian Wirtz rebuffed by the German outfit.
To the former Bundesliga champions’ credit, they’ve been keen to stick to a valuation of €150m (£126.5m).
Why Florian Wirtz deal may be taking more time than usual
For starters, it’s perfectly normal for there to be a prolonged negotiation period around a transfer of this magnitude.
Wirtz will more than likely end up being a generation-defining signing for Liverpool, not to mention one that will cost quite the pretty penny.
Richard Hughes and Co. will want to make sure that we’re not being absolutely fleeced, and Leverkusen’s decision-makers will, quite reasonably, want to ensure they’re extracting maximum value.
Some delays may also be put down to the fact that Germany has been celebrating a national holiday, Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday).
Liverpool look set to complete the transfer
For what it’s worth, Florian Wirtz still looks like a transfer Liverpool will complete this summer.
It’s encouraging that Germany’s biggest tabloid, BILD, reported when the German international is expected to link up with Liverpool for team training in pre-season.
If we’re at this stage of negotiations and already picturing him taking instructions from Arne Slot, it’s safe to say we’re on the home straight.
Indeed, the same reliable German outlet has reported that Leverkusen are braced for another improved bid from Liverpool for Wirtz.
This should be closer to the Bundesliga side’s ideal valuation, standing at €140m (£118m) and being inclusive of a fixed fee and add-ons.
We’re also quite keen to see the 22-year-old wearing the famous red shirt and joining Mo Salah & Co. in training, but it looks like we may have to wait a few days longer!
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“The real reason” is that Leverkusen know LFC have the money and are desperate to sign him! Why would/should they accept less…?
Simple. His dad (also his agent) has destroyed the potential bidding war. Bayern Munich is out of the race and Man City has signed Cherki instead. Wirtz has also said that he only wants Liverpool.
That gives FSG so much leverage. The alternative for Leverkusen’s board is to say “Screw it, we’ll keep him for another year.” That then HALVES his value with just one year left on his contract and the player clearly wants to leave. They can’t afford to lose half his value, so that ‘final bid’ of £118 million will most likely be accepted.
Why am I not too excited or convinced about this Wirtz charade? Is he worth it that much?
I think we should go get Oshimen or Isak Stiller and Kerkez and CH and feck him
No, but you have to factor in the shirt sales he will bring in for Liverpool
I think we need a player like Wirtz, as we don’t have a locksmith, to open up defensive teams/tactics. It’s been annoyingly long, but patience is a virtue & good things come to those who wait. My patience isn’t the best, but let’s have it & calmly wait for the next general to come through YNWA 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I don’t care what we do with the Wirtz mess. However, all I am asking is to please, please, please not let Luis Diaz go anywhere. If we have so much cash floating around, use some of it to jack up his salary.