Liverpool announce club-record signing of Florian Wirtz

In a saga that has been nearing completion for a matter of weeks, Florian Wirtz has officially been announced as a Liverpool player.

Fending off interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich in order to secure the services of the German, Wirtz has become the Reds’ club-record signing.

Not only is he Liverpool's most expensive signing, but should the add-ons inserted in the deal materialise, the addition of Wirtz would become a British-record fee, surpassing the previous record held by Enzo Fernandez following his £107m move to Chelsea.

Signed for an initial £100m fee with up to £16m in add-ons, Wirtz joins the Premier League champions on a five-year deal.

The calibre of teams interested in signing the German international is testament to the quality that Wirtz possesses, having emerged as one of Europe's brightest talents since his move to Bayer Leverkusen.

He has amounted 46 goal contributions from attacking midfield across the last two Bundesliga terms, helping Leverkusen to an invincible league season in 2023/24.

The Reds have laid down a marker of intent in the summer transfer window up to now, and it seems they have no intention of stopping.

Having confirmed the signings of former Bayer Leverkusen duo Jeremie Frimpong and Wirtz, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez looks set to be the club’s next addition, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has been mooted as a potential replacement for Jarell Quansah should his move to Bayer Leverkusen materialise, while Darwin Nunez will be replaced in the striker position if he is to depart.

The signing of Wirtz will no doubt improve Arne Slot’s chances of retaining the Premier League title, although reports suggest that the club’s summer transfer activities are just getting started.

Ellis Statham

• Liverpool F.C.
• Premier League
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