Liverpool take MAJOR next step towards Florian Wirtz transfer

Liverpool have reportedly taken a major next step towards a transfer for Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool are in the race for Florian Wirtz. The playmaker is widely expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen either this summer or in 2026 but it’s not yet clear where he’d go.

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Bayern Munich are the favourites. Wirtz, after all, is a German footballer and that usually means Bayern have first dibs.

Whether Leverkusen actively want to sell to Bayern, though, is another matter. You’d imagine they’d much prefer to sell to England, rather than strengthen their rivals with one of the world’s best players.

Liverpool have one other major advantage in this race: they can actually afford Wirtz. It’s highly unlikely that Bayern can put up the €150m Leverkusen are after, whereas the Reds are expected to have that kind of cash if they wish to spend it.

It’s quite clear that they do want believe they can spend it, too. Wirtz talked with Liverpool during the week as he looks to explore his options - something confirmed by former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness.

And it appears Liverpool have gone a step further in their pursuit. Enough to seal a deal?

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Florian Wirtz talks to Arne Slot

The Mirror reports that Wirtz has now personally talked with Arne Slot about a transfer to Liverpool. It’s a significant next step from the Reds, with the playmaker presumably learning more about what to expect at Anfield.

But it’s not all good news. Wirtz has apparently had the same conversation with Pep Guardiola as Manchester City weigh up paying the money for the German.

They’re after a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne and there certainly aren’t many (or really any) better than Wirtz. City’s interest would be a massive issue for Liverpool as they almost certainly can’t keep up with the funds there.

But it’s an interesting race to say the least. Bayern are favourites and we imagine they’d sign Wirtz if they had the cash. If they don’t have the cash, though, it’s hard to see them getting this one done - they don’t have obvious players to sell to raise all that money.

Liverpool really do. It all depends on Wirtz giving it the go-ahead but all signs point to the Reds feeling somewhat positive about a deal.

They certainly don’t convince Wirtz to meet with them or talk with Slot if there isn’t a possibility here. It’s just not clear how big of a possibility it really is.

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We’ll keep our fingers crossed, of course. What signing this could be.