Florian Wirtz is reportedly undergoing a medical at Liverpool today, ahead of a speculated record-breaking transfer. Multiple sources indicate that the Reds have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the German international, with the total package potentially reaching £116 million, including add-ons. If the deal finalizes, it would eclipse the previous British record transfer fee of £115 million paid by Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Wirtz is said to have already completed the first part of his medical, with the second part scheduled for Friday. He is expected to sign a five-year contract.
Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, reportedly played a key role in Wirtz's decision to move to Anfield. Wirtz has been a standout performer for Leverkusen, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga title win in the 2023/24 season. He scored 34 goals in the last two seasons. While Bayern Munich also expressed interest, Wirtz preferred a move to Liverpool. Besides Wirtz, Liverpool are also eyeing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
In other Liverpool transfer news, Jarell Quansah is nearing a £35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen. Consequently, Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to bolster their defense. Crystal Palace are known to be tough negotiators, and despite Guehi entering the final year of his contract, they are expected to demand a substantial fee. Liverpool are also reportedly competing with Chelsea for Lyon's Malick Fofana. Some players might be leaving Anfield with Darwin Nunez being a subject of interest from Napoli, and Andy Robertson having an uncertain future at the club.
Meanwhile, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is underway in the United States. The tournament has seen strong attendance figures, with over half a million fans attending the first round of matches. The opening stages have showcased diverse talent, with players from 66 countries participating. There have been some upsets and tightly contested matches. For instance, South American champions Botafogo stunned European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a historic win against Porto. A match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly was temporarily suspended due to a storm. Bayern Munich began their campaign with a record-breaking victory, defeating Auckland City 10-0.