Florian Wirtz to Liverpool: The latest updates and everything you NEED to know

Liverpool are closing in on a move for Florian Wirtz. Here's everything we know about the interest so far.

The Reds are admirers of the German playmaker at Bayer Leverkusen and it seems like they are now winning the race for his signature.

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It was previously understood that Wirtz was likely to join Bayern Munich in an attempt to remain in the Bundesliga, although Manchester City were lingering as his main alternative option.

However, almost out of nowhere, Liverpool's re-ignited interest was reported just a couple of days ago and have now swept ahead of everyone in the race in order to sign the German international.

It's been a long saga, and one in which there have been plenty of twists and turns. Liverpool's pursuit has also been long in the making, starting over five years ago.

Here's the full breakdown of what we know so far, and the latest updates.

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A breakdown of Liverpool and Wirtz

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool have been aware of the player since 2019 when he was playing in Cologne's under-17 team.

Scouts had been sent to assess him and the Reds attempted to sign him before he joined Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool approached him at the time, but Wirtz opted to stay in Germany.

For a 16-year-old who was in the midst of his studies and about to turn professional, it was an understandable decision, especially given he grew up just 41km away from Leverkusen.

Around two years later, in January 2021, Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool went back in for him, although a €70m asking price was set and Liverpool could only spend €50m.

Once again, a deal wasn't reached and it was entirely understandable as to why. At the time, he was in the middle of his breakout professional season, becoming a regular in the team, and spending such a significant amount of money on a teenager was too much of a risk for the club to sanction.

But now we are four years on from that fateful approach and the player is an entirely different prospect.

The 22-year-old is six seasons deep into his professional career, and he has lit up German football.

Last season, he delivered his standout campaign to date, scoring 18 goals and delivering 19 assists, as Leverkusen went on to win the Bundesliga without losing a game - ending Bayern Munich's dominance of the competition, and the side was one game away from an unbeaten treble.

And while the German's team has been less fortunate this season, his numbers have remained consistent, delivering 16 goals and 14 assists.

As such, it will now cost Liverpool over £125m in order to secure his services, which would require the Reds to break their record transfer fee by a monumental £40m. It is an unthinkable signing.

Yet we are now living in a world where it's a possibility.

Wirtz and his family travelled to England last week and he reportedly spoke with officials at both Liverpool and Manchester City to get a feeling of what a potential move to either club might be like.

Although it seems like he preferred a move to Liverpool rather than Manchester City, with the latter subsequently dropping out of the race.

Furthermore, he spoke in an interview just prior to the trip about how tempted he was to move abroad, defiantly claiming that he would be comfortable joining any team and fitting in well.

For a long time, it seemed that even with Manchester City dropping out, Liverpool were only lurking in the shadows. Bayern Munich had been leading the chase to sign him.

But all of that changed on Friday night with David Ornstein reporting for The Athletic that Liverpool have now moved ahead of Bayern in the race.

Liverpool still need to agree a fee for Wirtz. But at this stage things are looking very promising.

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And after five years, the Reds could finally get their hands on a man they have been keeping their eyes on for a very long time.