Liverpool must OBLITERATE transfer record for Florian Wirtz

Just when we were getting used to the idea of Jeremie Frimpong coming to Anfield, along comes the news that his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz is also very much under consideration.

The duo have played 150 times together for the 2024 Bundesliga champions but with Xabi Alonso leaving his role as coach it now looks to be the end of an era at the BayArena.

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And two of the mainstays of their double-winning season have been earmarked for transfers to Liverpool.

First, let’s discuss the most achievable of these. FSG love a release clause and 24-year-old Frimpong could be available for around £35m.

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That is a very attractive price for such a high-class performer, who can play right midfield, right wing-back and right-back. That signing would give Arne Slot several solutions for a Trent Alexander-Arnold-free future.

If Liverpool decided to pursue Dutch international Frimpong then the deal could be completed in a straightforward manner.

And now for Wirtz.

Where will Wirtz fit in?

The 22-year-old would appear to be putting in the groundwork for a summer transfer.

Why else fly to Blackpool for a whistlestop meeting with Liverpool, Manchester City or indeed both clubs? And don’t forget that Bayern Munich are said to consider themselves frontrunners for the attacking midfielder.

Liverpool are not going to have this transfer fight their own way; they must convince Germany international Wirtz that his interests are better served at Anfield than at the Etihad or the Allianz Arena - where more money will surely be on offer.

The Reds will also have to make big accommodations for Wirtz. He is first and foremost a No10. You would imagine Dominik Szoboszlai will have to move elsewhere in the team in order to fit Wirtz in.

Although he can play “from” the left, he doesn’t play “on” the left - usually having a left-sided midfielder or winger outside him. It is therefore unlikely that he would play left wing for Liverpool in place of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo.

But in truth he can rove all across the frontline, with his dribbling ability and playmaking coming to the fore.

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The issue for Liverpool is the price. Although under contract only until 2027, interested clubs might have to go as high as £125m for the superstar attacking midfielder according to reports.

Given that Liverpool’s record fee is £85m - paid to Benfica for Darwin Nunez - FSG will have to obliterate the club record. How likely are they to do that - as well as match Wirtz’s wage demands? Your guess is as good as mine.

There is an option of adding players to the mix; Tyler Morton was wanted by Leverkusen last year while Harvey Elliott - another attacking midfielder - could be sacrificed this summer.

Those exchanges could bring the initial fee down to £65m or so - more within Liverpool’s budget.

Whatever happens, it’s now been confirmed the Reds are serious about Wirtz - and are firmly in the mix for his signature. We will have to bide our time while the player works out whether he wants to leave Leverkusen, firstly, and Germany, on the other hand.

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But Richard Hughes will have to be right there waiting with the most attractive proposition when a decision is reached. And then he can hopefully reunite him with Frimpong in a new-look Liverpool lineup.