in

Liverpool ready to pay full £126million asking price for Florian Wirtz to avoid drawn-out transfer saga


LIVERPOOL are preparing to pay the full £126million asking price to capture Florian Wirtz as soon as possible.

The Bayern Leverkusen playmaker is understood to have agreed a five–year deal.

Liverpool are ready to stump up the full £126m for Florian WirtzCredit: Getty

Although the clubs have yet to agree a final fee.

But boss Arne Slot wants to avoid a drawn–out saga.

His club first offered £110m then went back with an improved offer.

Now Anfield’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards has been given permission by owners Fenway Sports Group to go all–in.

READ MORE ON FOOTBALL

There is growing Kop optimism that the 22-year-old will put pen to paper after the end of the international break on Sunday.

Wirtz featured in Germany’s Nations League semi-final defeat to Portugal.

He opened the scoring at the Allianz Arena with a well-taken header just after half-time.

But Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo struck within five minutes to turn the semi-final around.

Most read in Football

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Julian Nagelsmann’s side will now face either France or Spain who play tonight in Sunday’s third-fourth play-off.

After that, Wirtz will be free to have a medical.

The Sports Desk EP13_AP_V2

And, as is now all but certain, become the showpiece signing of Slot’s squad summer splurge with £29m Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong already on board.

Liverpool had been prepared to go to £120m including add-ons for Wirtz.

But they now accept the Bundesliga club will not back down on their original valuation.

They are hoping all negotiations can now be completed by the weekend and that Wirtz will be signed and sealed before heading out on holiday in readiness to join his new club for pre-season training which starts early next month.

The attacker’s number at Anfield remains unclear.

Reports suggested he wanted to take the No10 off Alexis Mac Allister – but he quashed those suggestions with an Instagram post.

Wirtz, who wears No10 for Leverkusen but No17 for Germany, wrote: “Who says I want the 10 [emoji].

“I respect players.

Read More on The Sun

“Don’t believe everything that’s written,” followed by a clown emoji.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is also expected to sign next week for £45m – taking the Anfield spend to £200m.

Wirtz opened the scoring for Germany in their Nations League semi-final but lost to PortugalCredit: Getty


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


Tagcloud:

Tyson Fury drags son around in horse trailer after he was forced to push him in shopping trolley

‘I’m really weak’ – Chris Kamara gives health update as Sky Sports legend reveals new role