Manchester United Set New Premier League Transfer Record with £120M Florian Wirtz Deal
Manchester United have stunned the football world by securing a historic £120 million deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, beating both Liverpool and Chelsea to the highly sought-after playmaker.
The 21-year-old German star has agreed to join United, with his medical scheduled for June 27, 2025, at Carrington. This marks the club’s biggest signing to date under manager Rúben Amorim, surpassing their recent £110 million acquisition of striker Viktor Gyökeres.
Wirtz delivered an incredible season, recording 18 goals, 20 assists, and contributing heavily with key passes and dribbles. His versatility makes him a perfect addition to Amorim’s dynamic 3-4-3 formation, where he will join forces with Gyökeres and Matheus Cunha.
The £120 million fee—boosted by performance-based bonuses—exceeds Liverpool’s previous £116 million bid, which fell through due to disagreements with Leverkusen. Backed by the INEOS group and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United capitalized on their rivals’ hesitation to finalize the transfer.
Wirtz is set to inherit the iconic No. 10 shirt following Marcus Rashford’s surprising loan to Aston Villa. The midfielder has expressed excitement over the move, having previously referred to Manchester United as “an institution” in a 2019 interview.
Fan reactions have been mixed—some praise the ambition shown by United, while others express concern over the massive price tag given the club’s recent 15th-place league finish and absence from Champions League football.
To stay within financial fair play limits, United made significant sales—including Garnacho’s £50 million move to Napoli and Jadon Sancho’s departure. Analyst Kieran Maguire confirmed these moves helped balance the books.
Chelsea had hoped to pair Wirtz with Cole Palmer, while Liverpool, after missing out, shifted their focus to Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi.
Wirtz’s signing sends a clear message: Manchester United are aiming for a return to dominance. With Amorim leading the charge and strong financial backing, the club is making bold moves to rebuild—and the football world is watching closely.