'It was always Liverpool'
Virgil van Dijk says his future was "always Liverpool" after ending lengthy contract negotiations by agreeing a new deal.The captain's future has been a talking point throughout the season given he was due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign.Reflecting on his new deal, Van Dijk said: "It was always in my head, it was always the plan and it was always Liverpool."There wasn't any doubt in my head that this is the place to be for me and my family. I'm one of Liverpool. Someone called me the other day an adopted Scouser – I'm really proud to hear these things, it gives me a great feeling."I'm very happy, very proud. There are so many emotions, obviously, that go through my head right now speaking about it."It's a proud feeling. It's a feeling of joy. It's just incredible. To be able to extend the journey I've had so far in my career with another two years at this club is amazing."Van Dijk's deal brings to an end a key few days for the club, with top scorer Mohamed Salah also agreeing fresh terms. Trent Alexander-Arnold's future remains uncertain, though. His deal will expire at the end of the campaign and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.How are you feeling? How crucial is Van Dijk staying to the club and the future under Arne Slot? Send us your thoughts here
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz's medical delay explained as Liverpool finally agree record deal
Liverpool's rivals for Florian Wirtz have all fallen by the wayside but the Premier League champions have yet to announce the signing of the Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz will join Liverpool this summer - but fans are still being made to wait for an official announcement. Wirtz's former Bayer Leverkusen colleague Jeremie Frimpong has completed his move to Anfield, but the German international remains in his home country for the time being. The Reds are ready to break the bank for the Germany international, who starred in Leverkusen's unbeaten Bundesliga season in 2023-24. The eventual fee, including add-ons, will be a new Premier League record of £116million. Leverkusen had attempted to play hardball on the fee, but Wirtz is set to begin the 2025-26 season as a Liverpool player - and for less than the £125m initially demanded by the selling club. However, it is understood that the delay is down to the playmaker currently being on holiday. The next formal steps are expected to take place upon Wirtz's return, after which we could see things speed up. The Reds have not been in as much of a rush as some of their Premier League rivals to get a deal over the line, as they are not involved in the Club World Cup. Wirtz is poised to become Arne Slot's third new addition this summer. Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili have already completed moves, while Liverpool have helped fund some of their summer spending by selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford. Liverpool's situation differs to that of Club World Cup competitors Chelsea and Manchester City. Both of those clubs made full use of the extra transfer window at the start of June, which was introduced to help teams bolster their squad for the tournament in the United States. Chelsea have added to their ranks for the Club World Cup, with Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr all part of their squad, though Estevao Willian won't join until after the tournament. Manchester City have also significantly strengthened, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri have all arrived, while keeper Marcus Bettinelli has joined from Chelsea to replace the outgoing Scott Carson. Wirtz isn't the only Bundesliga star on Liverpool's radar this summer. A deal for Hugo Ekitike is far less of a certainty, though, with Eintracht Frankfurt chief Markus Krosche standing firm on the £85m-rated striker. 'If the price isn't right, then he'll just stay with us. We don't have to sell Hugo,' Krosche told German media on the subject of the former Paris Saint-Germain striker, who is also of interest to Chelsea. Chelsea were unable to land the Frenchman in time for their Club World Cup campaign, with the mini transfer window for the tournament shutting on June 10. The summer window will open in earnest on Monday, giving Premier League clubs two months to bolster their squads ahead of the first round of fixtures. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How Liverpool beat Man City and Bayern to Florian Wirtz: Arne Slot's key role, what the star was telling his team-mates and how the club went 'all out' to secure British record £116m deal
Florian Wirtz will soon become the 10th footballer to move for nine figures or more – but Liverpool are confident he will buck a trend set by the other £100million men. Of the previous nine, how many of these have been a pound-for-pound success? Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea). Some mitigating circumstances on a few… Grealish was instrumental in City's Treble success, Neymar changed the landscape of world football, Rice and the Chelsea duo could turn out to be hits but, at this stage, are yet to bring their clubs any meaningful silverware in return. So Wirtz, who will cost a base £100m plus a potential further £16m in add-ons, has to be the black sheep of this field. Premier League champions Liverpool, though, believe he is worth every penny. That is why owners Fenway Sports Group have sanctioned such an eye-watering investment, that is why manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes went, as sources describe, 'all out' to get this transfer over the line. Liverpool had fostered a relationship with the Wirtz family for some years, going back to when they kept an eye on the then-teenager at his former club Cologne. Bayer Leverkusen trained at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre in November and he was impressed with the facilities. This is the first marquee signing of the Reds' bold new era led by Slot and Hughes, arguably the first elite-level player they have bought since Alisson or Virgil van Dijk – most other additions have tended to be promising stars with room for improvement. Wirtz, of course, does have room for improvement. The 22-year-old, described as a 'quiet guy with no ego', knows that and Slot knows that. The Dutch manager, ultimately, was the man who tempted the German superstar to pick Liverpool over their rivals. In many senses, Slot and Co had nothing to lose. A month ago, it looked certain that Wirtz was heading to German giants Bayern Munich. One source recently described Bayern as 'sleeping at the wheel' in terms of signing him. Normally, the best talents in Germany are mopped up by the Bavarian super-power. Manchester City were also incredibly keen but pulled out of the race citing the astronomical costs involved. Or, in other words, both City and Bayern pulled out because he rejected them. Wirtz had held talks with both Pep Guardiola and Bayern boss Vincent Kompany but it was Slot who convinced the family including father-cum-agent Hans-Joachim that Liverpool was the place for him. That, in itself, is a statement and a half. After one eagle-eyed photographer snapped the Wirtz family in north west England, media speculation immediately said he was here to finalise a move to Manchester. Down the East Lancashire Road in Kirkby, though, Liverpool knew he was their man. In fact, everyone has known the direction of travel for some weeks now. When asked by Mail Sport in Munich if he was 'excited for Liverpool', Wirtz nodded in our direction. Maybe it was a polite greeting but, whatever he meant by the nod, he knew he was bound for Merseyside. Wirtz, in fact, had been telling people that a deal was complete all week. It was not, as the two clubs were thrashing out the finer details, but the player had been telling his confidantes that his move to Liverpool was done and dusted. Liverpool's third bid came 10 days ago and that was £100m plus £14m in add-ons but the pair continued to negotiate up until yesterday when they finally shook hands on £100m plus £16m in bonuses which include winning the league, Champions League and even the Ballon d'Or. The Anfield power-brokers, of course, will not mind a jot if those add-ons are triggered. As a reminder from our dispatch from Munich last week, here are the verdicts of two German football experts as to what Liverpool are getting for their money. 'He can control the game and the rhythm,' says Maximilian Koch, chief reporter for the Abendzeitung newspaper. 'He reminds me of Andres Iniesta, a very intelligent and creative player. He can also score and assist, which makes him a complete player.' Fellow German football expert Heiko Niedderer, who has worked at BILD for 20 years covering the national team, says: 'He's one of the best offensive players we have had. We have the two of them, Musiala and Wirtz. 'They are both pretty special but Wirtz is maybe even more complete now. He can do everything. He is really great on the ball, a great shooter, creating chances. He has developed really well.' Rivals will sniff at the price tag but Liverpool have not got many bits of business wrong in the last decade. At 22, they think the German superstar is worth every penny despite risking such a big fee. Besides, they are already champions, what's the Wirtz that can happen?
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Liverpool are not done yet! Premier League champions set to take their summer spree beyond £200m after agreeing £116m fee for Florian Wirtz
Liverpool are set to take their summer spending spree past £200million after agreeing a record-breaking deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany star will complete a switch to the Premier League champions for a club-record £100m, which could rise to a British-record £116m, after turning down Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. The Reds will now look to sign £45m-rated Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez. It is understood they are in direct contact with the Cherries and will try to negotiate a lower fee. They are also targeting a No 9 or defender if they can balance the books with outgoings. Attacking midfielder Wirtz, 22, is on holiday and expected to have a medical in England when that finishes. He has held talks with Arne Slot, who has outlined a vision to him over playing in the No 10 role, although he can play wide, deeper in midfield and as a striker.
