Journalist: Florian Wirtz ‘Turned Down’ €24m in Wages to Join Liverpool | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz Chooses Vision Over Wages as Liverpool Clinch €140m Deal

Liverpool have pulled off the headline signing of the summer as Florian Wirtz officially chooses Anfield over Bavaria. In a remarkable scoop from Christian Falk via The Daily Briefing, it has been revealed that the 22-year-old German international turned down up to €24 million in wages to prioritise his role in Arne Slot’s sporting project.

“Liverpool have convinced the player above all that he has a clear sporting role,” Falk wrote. That clarity, it seems, has trumped a more lucrative offer from Bayern Munich.

It’s a coup not just for Liverpool, but for Slot and his long-term vision for the squad. This wasn’t just about flexing financial muscle — this was persuasion with purpose.

Photo: IMAGO

Wirtz Fee Reflects Historic Commitment

Wirtz will cost Liverpool €140 million, but Falk clarifies that this includes performance-based add-ons. Most of the deal hinges on “easily achievable goals,” while the final €10 million will only be triggered “in the event of major successes, for example, winning the Champions League.”

Bayern Munich backed away from the deal entirely, unwilling to match that price tag. As Max Eberl bluntly admitted, “This transfer fee would have been too high for FC Bayern! To be honest, I don’t know whether we would have been able to pay the price that Liverpool would have had to pay.”

Frimpong Link Reinforces Slot’s Pull

Wirtz is not the only arrival from Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Liverpool also secured Jeremie Frimpong, reinforcing the trend that Slot’s project is drawing elite talent.

Despite Bayern reportedly offering the midfielder up to €24 million more in wages, Falk reports that Wirtz was persuaded by the promise of playing time, development, and being central to a progressive Liverpool side under a title-winning manager.

Liverpool’s persistence also shines through. A second bid for Wirtz was initially rejected, but the club refused to walk away, underlining how highly the 22-year-old was rated within the recruitment team.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Strategy Reflects Slot’s Authority

While eyebrows were raised when Caoimhin Kelleher was sold to Brentford for a fee that could rise to £18 million, Falk’s report puts that decision in clearer context. Liverpool were clearing space and capital to fund what they saw as a transformative deal.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold also set to leave, Slot appears to be stamping his mark emphatically. The arrivals of Wirtz, Frimpong and Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi are bold, targeted, and reflect a strategy driven by vision, not just spending.

As Falk states, Wirtz “made the move for sporting reasons, not financial ones.” That line alone will resonate with supporters who are eager to see players choose the club for what it is, not just what it pays.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As Liverpool fans, we’ve waited for a transfer window like this — and what a statement this is. Florian Wirtz rejecting Bayern for us? That’s not just big, it’s seismic. It proves Liverpool are not just back, we’re serious players on the European stage again.

The fact that Wirtz gave up €24 million to come here is spine-tingling. That tells you everything you need to know about what Slot is building — a real project, not just a paycheque. And with Frimpong already in and Pecsi filling in behind, this squad is getting younger, sharper, and more explosive.

People talk about marquee signings changing dressing rooms. Wirtz isn’t just a signing, he’s a symbol. One of the most creative players in Europe, with 31 goal contributions last season, walking into Anfield ready to fight, not just earn.

With Trent moving on, this feels like a natural evolution. The torch is being passed. Slot already has a Premier League title in his locker, and now he’s shaping a team in his own image — tactically bright, technically sharp, and mentally hungry.

This isn’t just a good transfer. This is the beginning of something special.