The CRUCIAL detail in Liverpool's latest £113m bid for Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Liverpool submit Wirtz bid

He was a key part of the 2023/24 unbeaten double-winning team and has made clear his preference to join the Premier League champions.

With personal terms said to be agreed between Liverpool and the 22-year-old, all that’s missing is the final confirmation between the two clubs - which hopefully will come before long.

But in Joyce’s report for the Times was a detail that could still put a spanner in the works for the Wirtz deal. As things stand the clubs remain apart on their valuations.

While Leverkusen are holding out for £126m, Liverpool don’t appear ready to pay that much.

© IMAGO - Florian Wirtz Liverpool

Liverpool UNWILLING to pay Leverkusen asking price

“The package guarantees Leverkusen £100million with £13million extra coming in add-ons,” writes Joyce. “It is short of the £126million (€150million) the Bundesliga side have been seeking.

“Negotiations are continuing but as it stands Liverpool are unwilling to meet the German club’s full asking price.”

So something has got to give. Liverpool have made it clear through their conduct that Wirtz is the first and only priority in the transfer window at this time.

Either Leverkusen come to a compromise or else Liverpool give up the negotiation games and pay what the Germans are asking.

The Bundesliga runners-up would be happy to keep the player on board for the season ahead, with Wirtz under contract until 2027.