How Liverpool should spend $171M if Florian Wirtz transfer collapses
Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz seems to be heading in the right direction — but the longer the transfer saga drags on, the twitchier Reds fans will get over whether the German is actually destined for Anfield.
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It's been several weeks now since it emerged that Wirtz had decided that he wanted to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich, and the Merseyside club has been working on wrapping up a deal ever since.
Wirtz confirmed his excitement at the prospect of joining Liverpool last week, but given the sums involved — the attacker could become the third most-expensive player of all time — there is a risk of the transfer breaking down until the deal is officially confirmed.
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If, for whatever reason, the transfer doesn't end up going through, the Reds will have to look elsewhere for alternative targets.
Similar players to Wirtz
There are few players in world soccer who can hold a candle to Wirtz in his position, and all of them would cost an absolute fortune — but Liverpool is willing to spend an absolute fortune on Wirtz, so the likelihood is that the Reds would also be willing to do exactly that to sign another player of the German's caliber.
Of the world's attacking midfielders, only Jude Bellingham — who was previously linked with Liverpool — has a higher market value ($205 million) than Wirtz, according to Transfermarkt, and there is little chance of him leaving Real Madrid this summer.
Liverpool is continuing to work on a deal for Florian Wirtz -Credit:2025 Ralf Ibing - firo sportphoto
Bayern's Jamal Musiala and Wirtz are both valued at $160 million, and while a move for Musiala is also unlikely, the prospect of him moving on could increase if Wirtz ends up joining Bayern.
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Cole Palmer and Martin Odegaard are among the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League but there is no chance Liverpool would be able to convince either Chelsea or Arsenal to part with either player.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze could be more attainable, while RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons has been linked with Liverpool in the past and the Reds could turn their attention to him.
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READ MORE: Arsenal should've seen Martin Zubimendi twist coming with Xabi Alonso advice before Liverpool snub
Other squad areas that require strengthening
If Liverpool ends up pivoting from Wirtz to someone like Rogers, Eze or Simons, the club would save a significant amount of money on the transfer fee that they look set to spend on Wirtz, and that extra money could be put towards strengthening in other areas of the squad.
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Liverpool has already signed a new right-sided player in Jeremie Frimpong, but a left-back — specifically Milos Kerkez — is also on the agenda.
The Reds could also look to strengthen in the center of Arne Slot's defense amid the uncertainty over the futures of Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah.
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