Latest news with #Wirtz
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Liverpool fans are convinced Florian Wirtz to Anfield is a done deal after German star's recent social media post
Liverpool fans were all saying the same thing after seeing Florian Wirtz's new social media post. Mail Sport understands the Reds are close to demolishing the British transfer record for the Bayer Leverkusen star, who has made it clear he wants to move to Anfield. Leverkusen have made it clear they want £126million for the 22-year-old. While Liverpool currently have a bid of £109m lodged, it is understood that middle ground will be found quickly. Richard Hughes, Liverpool's Sporting Director, has proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart Simon Rolfes with easily attainable performance-related bonuses, such as Champions League qualification. And while the ins and outs of the deal get worked out, Wirtz took to social media to share a cryptic message - which left Liverpool fans in a frenzy. The attacking midfielder posted a photo of himself signing a fan's book, captioned only with a writing hand emoji. ✍️ — Florian Wirtz (@WirtzFlorianLFC) May 31, 2025 Fans on social media were to speculate whether Wirtz's post - amid the plentitude of recent speculation - had a double meaning. One fan wrote on X: 'Contract signing. Welcome to Liverpool YNWA.' Another commented: 'Meaning he's about to sign the contract.' A third said: 'Teasing the fanbase.' A fourth joked: 'Florian was given a contract by Liverpool and he signed it.' A report this week revealed Arne Slot has been crucial in getting Wirtz's deal closer to being sealed. Manchester City withdrew from the race to sign the German maestro, which left Bayern Munich in pole position to land him. But during a meeting, it is said that Slot left Wirtz captivated, not only with his own passion but also that of the club and its fans. Elsewhere, discussions about Wirtz's specific role similarly played a major role in his decision. Slot was clear in his plans on where Wirtz would be playing in his title-winning side and the German was also promised that he would be a central part of Liverpool's attack. It is believed that this conversation was paramount in getting Wirtz's deal to the final stage it is at now. Wirtz's signing would be Liverpool's second this summer, after the Merseyside club secured a move for Jeremie Frimpong earlier this week.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Florian Wirtz to Liverpool latest as Germany boss replies to transfer accusation
Julian Nagelsmann spent less than two years in charge of Bayern Munich before being dismissed in March 2023, but he insists he hasn't been urging Florian Wirtz to snub the Bundesliga champions for Liverpool Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann insists he has had nothing to do with Florian Wirtz snubbing a move to Bayern Munich in order to join Liverpool. Wirtz has his heart set on a move to the newly crowned Premier League champions this summer, and the Reds have made an opening bid of around £109million - a club record fee - for the exciting attacker. It isn't yet clear whether Bayer Leverkusen will accept that offer, but there is confidence on all sides that the 22-year-old will become a Liverpool player in the coming weeks. Bayern had felt that they were in the box seat for the player voted the best in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons, but Wirtz and his camp were left unimpressed by the club when they held transfer discussions. By contrast, Wirtz was won over by the facilities on offer at Liverpool as well as the vision of head coach Arne Slot, who will be seeking to build on this season's Premier League crown in his second campaign at the club. Additionally, Wirtz will have his now former Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong by his side at Anfield should he complete the move, with the Dutch right-back sealing his own £29.5m transfer to the Reds on Friday. Nagelsmann had less than two years in charge of Bayern before he was sacked in rather acrimonious circumstances in March 2023, before being appointed Germany boss six months later. There have been some suggestions in his homeland that Nagelsmann sought to influence Wirtz's decision and push him towards making the switch to the Premier League, but the 37-year-old boss insists that isn't the case. "I've never told a player to move here or there," Nagelsmann told a press conference prior to Germany's Nations League semi-final against Portugal in Munich on Wednesday. "What's important is that he plays - and plays a similarly important role to the one he played in Leverkusen. We know that he's one of the best players in the world." Wirtz is said to want his future resolved during the current international break, with the 10-day pre-Club World Cup transfer window opening for business on Sunday.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make ‘big' Wirtz offer, Chelsea eye Branthwaite, wonderkid Kostoulas EXCLUSIVE
IN AND OUT IN AND OUT Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool make 'big' Wirtz offer, Chelsea eye Branthwaite, wonderkid Kostoulas EXCLUSIVE THE thrills and spills of the summer transfer window are finally upon us with some huge deals in the pipeline! Liverpool are eyeing a move for Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz, with the side set to offer over £100million to the former German champions for his services. In other news, Chelsea are looking to bolster in defence ahead of the Club World Cup, and are targeting Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. Elsewhere, SunSport can exclusively reveal that Brighton are leading the race to sign Olympiacos wonderkid Babis Kostoulas. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Follow ALL the latest news, moves and completed deals with our live blog below...
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Liverpool announce major signing of Jeremie Frimpong after Alexander-Arnold's departure
TOP SIGNING Bayer Leverkusen's Dutch defender #30 Jeremie Frimpong celebrates his 1-0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund in Leverkusen, western Germany, on May 11, 2025. Picture: Ina Fassbender/AFP He was a key figure as Leverkusen won their first Bundesliga title in 2023/24 and made 53 appearances in all competitions as they finished second this season. News of Frimpong's signing came just hours after Liverpool confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold would be joining Real Madrid in time to play in the Club World Cup, Frimpong appears to be a ready-made replacement for England full-back Alexander-Arnold, with Liverpool activating the 24-year-old Dutch international's release cause. No fee or length of contract was disclosed but British media reports said Frimpong had arrived at Anfield on a five-year deal worth 35 million euros (£29.5 million). restore all settings to the default values Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Seek to live, currently behind live Liverpool's Transfer Pursuits: Frimpong and Wirtz Set to Bolster Squad Frimpong, however, will have competition at right-back from Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley, who recently signed a new four-year contract with Liverpool. Frimpong rose through the youth ranks at Manchester City and went on to join Celtic in September 2019 before a move to Leverkusen in January 2021. He is now set to join a Netherlands contingent at Liverpool that includes manager Arne Slot as well as club captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. Liverpool are also in talks with Leverkusen over signing Frimpong's former team-mate Florian Wirtz. Reports earlier Friday said Liverpool had made an improved £109 million ($146 million) bid to sign the Germany midfielder . Liverpool's second offer for Wirtz includes add-on clauses that would make him the most expensive signing in the club's history. Wirtz has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City, but it is believed he made it clear to Leverkusen that he wants to join Liverpool before next season. The 22-year-old emerged as one of the most highly-rated young playmakers in Europe after helping Leverkusen win thee Bundesliga. Wirtz was named Bundesliga player of the season for his role in that 2023/24 triumph. He featured in 31 Bundesliga matches this season, scoring 10 goals as Leverkusen finished second behind Bayern in the title race. Wirtz has scored 57 goals in 197 games since making his Leverkusen debut aged just 17 after signing from Cologne in 2020. AFP
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hendrick: 'This is Not a Club That's Playing Around' as Wirtz Bid Escalates
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. Advertisement '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.' Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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.'
