Wirtz heads to Liverpool after holiday with Frimpong as £116m deal nears | OneFootball

Frimpong, Wirtz and Holiday: Liverpool’s Summer Statement Gathers Pace

Wirtz Prepares to Make History on Merseyside

As the Merseyside sun prepares to welcome another statement signing, Florian Wirtz is set to arrive at Liverpool for a medical that could rewrite British football’s transfer records. The Bayer Leverkusen forward is poised to complete a record-breaking £116 million move, including a guaranteed £100 million up front with £16 million in achievable add-ons. Should the full fee be activated, Wirtz will eclipse the previous high of £115 million spent by Chelsea on Moises Caicedo in 2023.

The 21-year-old German has been enjoying a well-earned break since Germany’s Nations League campaign ended in disappointment on home soil. Wirtz had scored in the semi-final defeat to Portugal before a third-place play-off loss to France. His holiday, however, is more than just recuperation. It marks a symbolic pause before a new chapter, one he has already signed up for in personal terms with Liverpool.

Frimpong’s Boat Snap Fuels Excitement

Fuel was added to the fire of anticipation when Jeremie Frimpong, Wirtz’s long-time teammate, posted a sun-kissed photo of the pair enjoying a boat ride. “Vacation mode with my bro,” the Dutchman wrote on social media, sharing a scene of relaxation that belied the seismic footballing shifts it foreshadowed.

Frimpong himself sealed a £29.5 million switch to Anfield from Leverkusen last month, recruited as the long-term replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. With Alexander-Arnold now at Real Madrid following a £10 million move, Frimpong’s energy and attacking thrust will be vital in Arne Slot’s evolving system. Now reunited with Wirtz, their chemistry from Leverkusen could ignite instantly on Merseyside.

Together, the pair were at the heart of Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen revolution. Having joined from Celtic in 2021, Frimpong slotted in seamlessly beside Wirtz as the Bundesliga club claimed a domestic double in 2023-24. They narrowly missed out on an historic treble, falling to Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin.

Kerkez Nears Completion of Triple Deal

Liverpool’s summer recruitment drive may not stop at Frimpong and Wirtz. Milos Kerkez is expected to become the third marquee addition, with a £45 million deal from Bournemouth edging closer by the day. The Hungarian full-back recently appeared on a live stream where he held a Liverpool supporters’ flag and spoke confidently about the move, fuelling speculation of an imminent announcement.

His father and agent, Sebastijan Kerkez, confirmed the family’s intention, stating: “It’s only Liverpool for us and we’re not going anywhere else and we won’t talk to other clubs.” Speaking on the Super Indirektno podcast, he added, “Everything is done between us, we just need to sort out some details. But it’s basically a done deal.”

Kerkez’s relationship with Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has proven a crucial link, with both players featuring for Hungary’s national team. Sebastijan also praised Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who had initially brought Kerkez to Bournemouth during his time at the club. “If he said we go to India, then we go to India,” he said. “Everything is agreed, just some little things.”

Bournemouth’s own transfer business appears to confirm the trajectory, having signed French left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes for £10.1 million, a presumed replacement for Kerkez.

New Faces Signal a New Era

Beyond the headlines surrounding Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are building with intention. Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili, a £29 million recruit from Valencia, will provide competition and depth in goal following Caoimhin Kelleher’s £18 million departure to Brentford. Armin Pesci, a promising 20-year-old from Puskas Akademia, adds further depth to the goalkeeping ranks.

The full-back situation remains fluid. While Andy Robertson is entering the final year of his contract, he has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. Should he remain at Anfield, Greek international Kostas Tsimikas may be the one to make way, with reported interest from Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.

What is clear is that Liverpool are not merely refreshing the squad, they are recalibrating for dominance. The potential arrivals of Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez reflect a new vision under Slot, one that values chemistry, ambition and a fearless commitment to investment. As the trio return from holiday, Liverpool’s rebuild moves from promise to production.