Liverpool Seal Record-Breaking £116 Million Transfer of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool FC has officially completed a historic transfer, securing the services of Bayer Leverkusen’s prodigious midfielder Florian Wirtz for a British-record fee of £116 million. The deal, finalized late Friday, underscores the club’s ambition to dominate both domestically and in Europe under manager Arne Slot.

The transfer fee comprises an initial £100 million, with an additional £16.5 million in performance-based add-ons, surpassing Liverpool’s previous record outlay for Darwin Nunez in 2022. Negotiations, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, concluded after weeks of meticulous discussions, fending off interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Wirtz, a 22-year-old German international, is now poised to bolster Liverpool’s midfield with his exceptional creativity and goal-scoring prowess.

Wirtz’s statistical profile highlights his value: over the past two Bundesliga seasons, he amassed 44 goal contributions (21 goals and 23 assists), the highest among under-22 players in Europe’s top leagues. His technical ability is further evidenced by 124 open-play chances created, trailing only elite playmakers like Mohamed Salah. Despite a career-threatening ACL injury in 2022, Wirtz’s recovery and subsequent performances—capped by a Bundesliga-high 313 take-ons last season—have cemented his reputation as a generational talent.

Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz dates back to 2020, reflecting a long-term strategy to integrate young stars into Slot’s evolving system. The Dutch manager, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, values Wirtz’s versatility and pressing intensity, with the midfielder recording 71 final-third recoveries in the 2024-25 campaign. Bayer Leverkusen has expressed gratitude for Wirtz’s contributions, wishing him success at Anfield, where he is expected to undergo a medical and sign a long-term contract.

This move signals Liverpool’s intent to maintain their competitive edge, blending youth and experience for future success.