Hendrick: 'This is Not a Club That's Playing Around' as Wirtz Bid Escalates

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2 days ago

Liverpool Eye Double Bundesliga Swoop as Frimpong and Wirtz Deals Accelerate
Wirtz Deal Edges Closer to Completion
In a bold move that signals Liverpool's intent to build a post-Klopp era of sustained success under Arne Slot, the club has significantly stepped up its pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. On The Daily Red Podcast, Dave Hendrick confirmed that David Ornstein has reported an 'improved second bid' from Liverpool, totalling €130 million.
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'This is big time money,' Hendrick declared, adding, 'This is not a club that's playing around.' With Wirtz keen on the switch to Anfield, Hendrick made it clear how serious Liverpool's offer is: 'You're probably looking at somewhere in the region of 85 to 90 million as a guaranteed figure and then the rest would be in add-ons for appearances and winning things.'
The importance of those add-ons is clear. Hendrick said, 'If you're winning things, you don't mind paying the add-ons… I hope we pay the 49 million. I really do, because then we'll have won a league title, a Champions League, and he'll have made a ton of appearances for us.'
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The 22-year-old Wirtz is widely regarded as one of Europe's most technically gifted attacking midfielders and his potential addition would reshape Liverpool's forward structure, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez.
Frimpong Transfer Nears Completion
Meanwhile, the long-anticipated move for Jeremie Frimpong also appears imminent. 'Frimpong is literally just waiting on the formalities by the sound of things,' said Hendrick, strongly implying that personal terms and the final stages of negotiation are now all that remain.
Frimpong, a dynamic right-sided wing-back also from Leverkusen, fits the bill for Liverpool's evolving tactical system. While Hendrick didn't elaborate further during this episode, his concise confirmation suggests that Liverpool see Frimpong as a vital addition, possibly to operate in a back-three system with wing-backs – a structure he hinted at when discussing other positional roles.
Transfer Strategy Points to Ruthless Efficiency
Hendrick noted that Liverpool have learned from their past failed attempts to land elite targets like Jude Bellingham, Moisés Caicedo, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. 'We fell short on those deals,' he admitted, but praised the club's current approach: 'This time it doesn't look like Liverpool are leaving anything to chance.'
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This new phase of business is described as meticulous and aggressive. Hendrick even suggested that 'once the fee is agreed for Florian Wirtz, we will quickly move on to getting Milos Kerkez wrapped up as well.'
And it won't stop there. According to journalist Lewis Steele, relayed on the podcast, Liverpool will 'step up a pursuit for a number nine and a central defender once Frimpong, Wirtz and Kirk are done.'
Photo: IMAGO
Diaz and Núñez Futures in Doubt
Wirtz's arrival could impact current attacking options. Díaz, whose contract situation remains unresolved, is attracting Saudi Arabian interest. 'It makes all the sense to sell him at his age with the contract situation,' said Hendrick, who also noted, 'I think Darwin is almost certain to want that move.'
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Wirtz, expected to occupy the left side of the trio behind the striker, could push both players out of contention. 'Unless Díaz was staying as the backup striker, it wouldn't make sense,' Hendrick argued, clearly outlining the club's hierarchy of priorities.
Conclusion
The Daily Red Podcast, hosted by Dave Hendrick, offered a revealing glimpse into Liverpool's current transfer drive. With Frimpong and Wirtz both nearing the finish line and a new striker and centre-back also on the agenda, the message is clear – Liverpool are no longer tentative in the market.
This summer could redefine the squad's trajectory. And as Hendrick concluded with regard to Wirtz: 'If we have to pay an extra three or four million… who cares? We won a league title.'