Liverpool submit new £113 million bid for Florian Wirtz
Liverpool have submitted a new bid of £113 million to Bayer Leverkusen for playmaker Florian Wirtz, according to The Times.
The new proposal will see the Reds pay £100 million guaranteed, plus another £13 million in bonuses. Unfortunately, it is still short of Bayer Leverkusen's demands.
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Die Werkself want £126 million (€150 million) to let Wirtz go, but Liverpool do not want to match that exorbitant fee.
Despite the report from The Times, other reliable sources suggest that all parties will still agree on a deal, as the player is keen on a move to Anfield.
While many ponder whether the German international is worth the eye-watering sum, his numbers have been consistently elite.
Wirtz joined Bayer Leverkusen from FC Koln at the age of 16. Within weeks of turning 17, he was already making his Bundesliga debut.
Weeks later, he scored against Bayern Munich to become the youngest-ever Bundesliga goalscorer at 17 years and 34 days (at the time). He has proven his mettle through the years.
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Wirtz was a standout as Leverkusen won the domestic double last term and reached the Europa League final.
They did not reach those heights this term, but he finished with 16 goals and 14 assists.
Wirtz ranked eighth for progressive passes in the Bundesliga this season (155). Last term, he made and received the third most progressive passes in the German top flight.
This makes excellent reading for a number 10 who operates between the lines. He also created 2.1 chances from open play per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season (min. 1,000 minutes).
That was more than any of his Leverkusen teammates, while only Mohamed Salah averaged more for Liverpool (2.3) in the Premier League.
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Wirtz executed the fourth-most carries in the Bundesliga this season (549). Only one player had more than his five assists following a carry.
The Leverkusen star also attempted (165) and completed (82) the most dribbles in the Bundesliga this season.
The underlying numbers are excellent, compelling Liverpool to break their transfer record. However, he will be under pressure to deliver if he gets the big-money move to England.
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