Liverpool have officially announced the signing of highly-rated midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record fee of €136.3 million (£116m). The deal comprises an upfront payment of €117.5 million (£100m) with an additional €18.8 million (£16m) in add-ons.
Wirtz has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Premier League champions, keeping him at Anfield until 2030. The 22-year-old German international arrived in the United Kingdom earlier this week for his medical, following reports from The Athletic that a fee had been agreed.
Despite Leverkusen’s initial €150 million asking price, Liverpool successfully negotiated a lower sum. The Reds had previously submitted an improved offer of €134 million (£113m) on June 6, building on their earlier €130 million (£109m) approach.
Wirtz, whose contract with Leverkusen was set to run until 2027, had also garnered interest from Bayern Munich. However, the German champions were informed in May that the playmaker favored a move to Merseyside, having already viewed properties in the North West of England.
Upon signing his new deal, Wirtz expressed his excitement to Liverpoolfc.com: “I feel very happy and very proud. Finally it’s done and I was waiting for a long time – finally it’s done and I am really happy. I’m really excited to have a new adventure in front of me.
“This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League. I will see how I can perform there. I hope I can do my best. I spoke also with some players who played there and they told me that it’s perfect for me and every pitch is perfect, you can enjoy every game. I’m really looking forward to playing my first game.”
This transfer marks another significant piece of business between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Earlier, Liverpool secured the services of Dutch wing-back Jeremie Frimpong after activating his €35 million (£29.6m) release clause. Discussions are also ongoing for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah to potentially move to Leverkusen in a deal reportedly worth over €40 million.
Wirtz comes to Anfield on the back of two stellar seasons with Leverkusen. He was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 matches as he helped Leverkusen clinch their maiden German title and reach the Europa League final.
In the subsequent season, he continued his impressive form, scoring 16 goals and registering 15 assists in 45 games as his side finished second in the Bundesliga and reached the Champions League round of 16.
The talented midfielder has already earned 31 international caps for Germany since his senior debut in September 2021, scoring seven goals.
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