Wirtz, a German midfielder, is signed by Liverpool in a club record deal.

Wirtz, a German midfielder, is signed by Liverpool in a club record deal.

Bayer Leverkusen's German midfielder #10 Florian Wirtz chases the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Augsburg in Leverkusen, western Germany on 26 April, 2025.AFP file photo

 It was widely reported on Friday that Liverpool had reached a club-record agreement to pay up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign Florian Wirtz, an offensive midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen.

According to British media, the Premier League winners will pay an initial £100 million, well exceeding their own record expenditure. However, if the performance-related add-ons are completed, it might set a new British record.

The possible price might increase to 150 million euros (£127 million, $172 million), according to reports from Germany.

Liverpool may spend more than Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who rejected Anfield, if they finish up acquiring the 22-year-old Germany international.

Chelsea paid an initial sum of £100 million for midfielder Caicedo, which could increase to £115 million. 

Bayer Leverkusen's German midfielder #10 Florian Wirtz stays down after he was fouled during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) quarter-final football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FC Cologne in Leverkusen, western Germany on 5 February, 2025.

AFP file photo

 

Darwin Nunez, a striker, was Liverpool's last record-breaking acquisition in 2022, but they have not paid the entire £85 million because he has not fulfilled all the conditions for some add-ons that are required.

According to reports, Manchester City was interested in Wirtz but decided against it because of the package's skyrocketing expenses.

The new manager of Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, a former midfielder for Liverpool and coach of Bayer Leverkusen, has praised Wirtz as one of the "greatest in the world".

The Reds are spending heavily to bolster a team that easily won a record-tying 20th English Premier League title after mostly staying dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season as manager.
Florian Wirtz, a German midfielder ranked #10 for Bayer Leverkusen, warms up before the team plays Union Berlin in the German First Division Bundesliga on April 12, 2025, in Leverkusen, western Germany.