Florian Wirtz wants to ‘win everything' for Liverpool after record move
[LIVERPOOL] Florian Wirtz said he wants to win it all at Liverpool after completing a blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday (Jun 20), which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee.
Reports in England said the Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million (S$173 million) for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, with a further £16 million in performance-related add-ons making it a British record deal.
However, German media suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (US$193 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros.
One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the 'best in the world' by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid.
'I would like to win everything every year!' Wirtz told the club's website.
'In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.'
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
Sign Up
Sign Up
The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso.
Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble.
Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena.
Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month.
New adventure
'I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me,' added Wirtz, who turned down the option of joining Bayern for the move to England.
'This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.'
After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a £40 million deal.
Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
Where Wirtz's fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen.
He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany.
A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer.
'The people say I'm a creative player, and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch,' said Wirtz.
'I try to make assists, goals and run for the team to defend. I hope I can just make the team one step better.'
Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat.
However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
6 hours ago
- Business Times
Florian Wirtz wants to ‘win everything' for Liverpool after record move
[LIVERPOOL] Florian Wirtz said he wants to win it all at Liverpool after completing a blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday (Jun 20), which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee. Reports in England said the Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million (S$173 million) for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, with a further £16 million in performance-related add-ons making it a British record deal. However, German media suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (US$193 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros. One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the 'best in the world' by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. 'I would like to win everything every year!' Wirtz told the club's website. 'In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.' A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month. New adventure 'I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me,' added Wirtz, who turned down the option of joining Bayern for the move to England. 'This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.' After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a £40 million deal. Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Where Wirtz's fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. 'The people say I'm a creative player, and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch,' said Wirtz. 'I try to make assists, goals and run for the team to defend. I hope I can just make the team one step better.' Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources. AFP
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
Bellingham's goal a surreal experience for new Dortmund signing
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Mamelodi Sundowns v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - June 21, 2025 Borussia Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY CINCINNATI, OH - Jobe Bellingham said his first goal for Borussia Dortmund was a surreal experience as the new signing from Sunderland made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Bellingham scored the third goal in Dortmund's 4-3 win over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns at the TQL Stadium and was named man-of-the-match at the end of the Group F encounter. 'It's a little bit surreal really when the ball hits in the net, it's just crazy,' the 19-year-old said. 'Everything happened so slowly but yeah I'm really pleased.' It was a second run out, but first start, for Bellingham since his move from Sunderland to the Bundesliga giants, where he will look to follow in his elder brother Jude's footsteps. Jobe's goal was smartly taken although the Sundowns goalkeeper palmed the ball straight at him. But Bellingham avoided an attempted block by a defender, and sent the keeper the wrong way, by cleverly holding his shot for a split second. Bellingham said it had been a hard assignment in the midday sun in Ohio, where the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius (90°F). 'I think the conditions make it so difficult, especially for us being a European team. They (Sundowns) played a fantastic game but I'm sure they're used to this kind of weather, but we definitely aren't. 'But it's something we are going to have to adapt to as the tournament goes on.' Bellingham said he was happy to be playing so soon after signing a five-year deal for what reports said was a 33 million euros ($37.70 million) deal. 'The lads have really helped me settle in and it's been a different experience because rather than signing and then having a summer off, I've got an opportunity to meet everyone and get to grips with how we play and how the coach wants us to play as a team.' Coach Niko Kovac said he was delighted with the form of Bellingham. 'He is among those who are the future of this club,' the Dortmund boss said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Dortmund feel the heat but still win
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group F - Mamelodi Sundowns v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - June 21, 2025 General view of Borussia Dortmund substitutes holding umbrellas to get shade from the sunshine as coach Niko Kovac looks on REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach CINCINNATI, Ohio - Playing in midday heat proved a taxing ordeal for Germany's Borussia Dortmund, who had to hold on tenaciously to secure a 4-3 victory over South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns at the Club World Cup on Saturday. Temperatures over 30 degree Celsius in the United States have sapped the players' energy and there was a sense of relief for the Bundesliga side as they came through a tough physical test. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT European sides have had a difficult few days at the Club World Cup with defeats for Champions League winners Paris St Germain and Chelsea, so it was important for Borussia Dortmund to get their first win in Group F. KEY QUOTES Dortmund coach Niko Kovac: "We had a hard battle against the heat and an opponent who could handle the conditions better. This is a tournament that we want to compete in and try to win a World Cup title but the conditions are very hard for all for the teams." Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso: "I think it was clear that we pushed the level of the game to the maximum and that we were able to pay an open game against such a strong opponent. I'm very proud of the resilience that we showed." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
