Florian Wirtz deal to come 'in days' as Liverpool's second bid gets response

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

Liverpool have enjoyed a busy start to the transfer window and are looking to be active in the coming days as they continue their bid to sign Florian Wirtz
Liverpool have had longer than most to focus on the summer transfer window having long since wrapped up the Premier League title. And that extra time to work in the background already appears to have paid off.
The Reds have signed Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and even earned a fee from the sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. The Anfield side have even submitted an offer for Frimpong's former team-mate Florian Wirtz, and look set to beat Manchester City and Bayern Munich to his signature.
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Liverpool are set to make quite the statement ahead of Arne Slot's second season in charge of the club and have already been more active than in his first summer at the helm. Last season, only Federico Chiesa arrived as reinforcement as the Dutchman assessed his squad.
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And the Reds are not set to rest on their laurels with the likes of Milos Kerkez also linked with a move to the north west. Liverpool are already laying the gauntlet down to their rivals with the transfer only opening for the first time today.
Bid 'not accepted'
Liverpool produced a record bid of £109million in their quest to land Florian Wirtz earlier this week, but it has not be accepted by Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old Germany star has no shortage of suitors and the Bundesliga side will want to earn every penny for their talent but the Times report this stance should not prevent parties from coming to an agreement over 'the coming days.
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The Telegraph adds that Leverkusen are content with the fee offered but the process of negotiating how payments will be made is underway. An comprimise is expected to be found quickly.
Wirtz transfer verdict
Julian Nagelsmann has called on Florian Wirtz to be offered a prominent role at which ever side he moves to in the upcoming transfer window. The Germany boss wants to see the star retain the importance he earned at Leverkusen when establishing himself at his new club.
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Nagelsmann was asked about Wirtz's future but denied playing a role in where he should ultiately move. 'I've never told a player: 'Move here or there',' Nagelsmann said.
'What matters is that he plays and that he plays a similar role in terms of significance to the one he played in Leverkusen. We know that he's one of the best players in the world.'
Liverpool lose coach
Liverpool assistant coach John Heitinga has been named as Ajax's new boss, after just one season working under Arne Slot. The former Everton defender was a key part of the Dutchman's staff that helped the team to the Premier League title. Heitinga has previously been linked to other coaching roles and was a target for West Brom after the exit of Carlos Corberan in December before they opted to hire Tony Mowbray.
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Instead the former Everton and Netherlands defender joins boyhood side Ajax after Francesco Farioli left his post after a disappoint end to the season, where they finished runners-up in the Eredivisie Heitinga started his coaching career with Ajax's youth teams in 2021 before a short spell as interim manager of the first team in 2023.
In a statement, Heitinga said: "I am incredibly excited to start. The last years in England have done me a lot of good. I've been able to develop further alongside David Moyes and Arne Slot, while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at two major clubs.
"I'm ready to continue as a head coach and I'm honoured to be given that opportunity at Ajax."