Liverpool 'reach agreement' for Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz in British record deal | OneFootball

The deal could become a British transfer record if add-ons are activated

On the move: florian wirtz

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Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz in a club-record deal worth as much as £116million.

According to reports in The Athletic, the Reds will pay £100m up front, with £16m in performance-based add-ons to follow.

Wirtz will sign a five-year deal, keeping him at Anfield through 2030, but has not yet undergone a medical. The deal will be formalised when the transfer window reopens on June 16, following the Club World Cup.

The deal comfortably eclipses the £85m Liverpool spent to secure Darwin Nunez’s services from Benfica in 2022, and could mark a British transfer record if add-ons are activated. Chelsea currently hold the record after spending £115m to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in 2023.

Liverpool have secured a slight discount on Leverkusen’s initial asking price of €150m after extended negotiations, during which they saw multiple offers rejected.

Negotiations were reportedly held up as the two clubs discussed payment structures. The add-ons are thought to be linked to Liverpool winning major trophies during Wirtz’s tenure.

Wirtz, who has already visited Merseyside to look at homes, will join his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield. The full-back was signed as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier this summer.

Wirtz had also been targeted by German champions Bayern Munich, but is reported to have favoured a move to Merseyside throughout negotiations. Liverpool also priced Bayern out of the deal, as director of sport Max Eberl revealed they could not match the Reds’ offer.

The 22-year-old German was named the Bundesliga player of the year last season after scoring 10 goals and assisting a further 12 in 31 league appearances.

He completed 90 minutes in both of Germany’s Nations League matches earlier this month, scoring in a 2-1 loss to Portugal. He has 31 caps to his name.

His arrival will afford Arne Slot fresh tactical flexibility, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to sit in a deeper position better suited to his strengths.