**Liverpool Close in on Florian Wirtz Deal, Outmanoeuvring Manchester United for Midfield Star**
Liverpool are reportedly on the brink of securing a sensational coup, with the Merseyside club deep in discussions to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s highly-regarded midfielder Florian Wirtz. In a move set to provoke frustration among Manchester United supporters, the Reds appear to have leapfrogged their historic rivals in pursuit of the German prodigy – a player who was once at the top of United’s transfer ambitions under former interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Sources close to the Anfield club confirm that Liverpool officials have made significant progress in their negotiations with Wirtz, aged 22, and his representatives. Notably, the player’s family is said to have visited Liverpool in recent weeks, exploring potential new homes in the region. This visit follows exceptionally positive discussions, with new manager Arne Slot reportedly outlining a clear vision for Wirtz’s role at the reigning Premier League champions.
Liverpool’s initial formal bid for the dynamic midfielder stands at £84 million, potentially rising with add-ons. While this figure is substantial, it remains below Leverkusen’s robust valuation; insiders claim the German club would demand a sum surpassing the Premier League’s current transfer record, set when Chelsea snapped up Enzo Fernández for £106 million in 2023. Despite the gap between the initial bid and Leverkusen’s expectation, Liverpool’s strong relationship with Wirtz and his preference for Merseyside over Bayern Munich could yet tip the deal in their favour.
This development will undoubtedly be difficult to digest for Manchester United, who had earmarked Wirtz as a major target during Rangnick’s tenure in the 2021–22 season. At that time, Wirtz was already turning heads in the Bundesliga, having become Leverkusen’s youngest-ever debutant and earned senior national team call-ups. Rangnick, intent on reshaping United’s squad, reportedly pushed for an ambitious move for the then-teenager, proposing a deal that could have been completed for around £60 million. However, United refrained from making significant moves in that transfer window, a decision that in hindsight has proven costly given Wirtz’s subsequent rise.
Wirtz’s development under the stewardship of Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over the past year, he was instrumental in steering his club to an unbeaten double, further heightening his profile among Europe’s elite clubs. The German international’s performances have also drawn covetous glances from Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Nonetheless, following a series of meetings with Bayern’s new leadership team, Wirtz and his family reportedly felt unconvinced by Bayern’s pitch, leading them to prioritise a move to Liverpool.
The positive impression left by Liverpool appears to have solidified their lead in the chase for Wirtz’s signature. This sentiment was reflected in recent comments by Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s managing director, who acknowledged the “concrete interest” shown by Liverpool, while reiterating that Wirtz remains a Leverkusen player for now.
Recruiting Wirtz would represent another statement of intent from Liverpool, who are keen to build on their domestic success and transition smoothly into the Slot era. The club’s summer recruitments may not stop there; Jeremie Frimpong, another Leverkusen standout, is reportedly set to arrive at Anfield in a £29.5 million move, while Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is also on the radar.
In the context of the Premier League’s relentless competition, Liverpool’s ability to attract top targets signals both the pulling power of their recent title triumph and the clarity of vision offered by their new leadership. As the summer transfer window gathers pace, these moves underline the club’s determination to remain at the summit of English football.
For United and their supporters, the missed opportunity with Wirtz is a sobering reminder of the importance of decisive transfer activity. While they are reportedly close to bringing in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in a deal worth £62.5 million, the potential arrival of Wirtz at Liverpool will inevitably provoke comparisons and reignite debate over Old Trafford’s recent transfer policy.
With several weeks remaining in the window, the footballing world will be watching closely to see if Liverpool can close out the Wirtz deal and if United can deliver a response of similar magnitude as they look to close the gap on their great rivals.