Liverpool have intensified their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz in a bold attempt to overtake Manchester City in the race to sign the 22-year-old, according to Kicker and Mail Sport.
Following a remarkable 2023–24 campaign — which saw Leverkusen go unbeaten in the Bundesliga and win the DFB-Pokal — Wirtz has become one of the most sought-after players in Europe. He registered 33 goal contributions across 44 appearances, making him a standout figure for the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest Liverpool have made a decisive move to “hijack Manchester City’s bid” for the German playmaker.
Three-Way Battle: City, Liverpool, Bayern
Manchester City have long viewed Wirtz as the ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who is expected to leave after a decade at the club. Their pursuit is being directed by Football Director Hugo Viana and outgoing executive Txiki Begiristain.
However, Liverpool have now entered the competition. Under new manager Arne Slot, the Merseyside club has reportedly held direct talks with Wirtz and his camp — coinciding with a separate meeting between the player and City on the same day.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich remain firmly in contention. Journalist Christian Falk reports that Wirtz has “already agreed personal terms” with the Bundesliga champions. Bayern are preparing a €100 million (£84.7 million) bid — still short of Leverkusen’s £126 million valuation. Although CEO Fernando Carro previously hinted at a €150 million price tag, he has since softened that stance.
Slot’s Liverpool, now Premier League champions, are said to have met with Wirtz on Tuesday, the same day City representatives did.
Wirtz’s Contract and Future Plans
Wirtz is under contract with Leverkusen until 2027, giving the club significant control over his immediate future. It’s believed that his mother prefers he stay for another year, which could delay a move until 2026 — when Bayern would be prepared to return with another offer.
However, Wirtz is reportedly warming to the idea of a move to England, and is now open to joining Liverpool after earlier focusing on a potential City transfer. Real Madrid have previously shown interest, but the key contenders now appear to be Liverpool, City, and Bayern.
The Leverkusen midfielder is currently one of Europe’s hottest properties.
What’s Next
Bayern still appear to be in a strong position due to Wirtz’s supposed preference and the progress they’ve made in negotiations. However, their offer must increase to match Leverkusen’s demands.
Liverpool are making an aggressive push to leapfrog their rivals in the race for his signature.
Should Wirtz choose Liverpool, it would be a major blow to Pep Guardiola’s plans to find a successor to De Bruyne.
City remain active in discussions, and with none of the suitors yet meeting Leverkusen’s price tag, the coming weeks will be critical in determining Wirtz’s destination — if he moves at all this summer.
While Bayern, under Vincent Kompany, may currently lead the chase, their current offer falls short of the required amount.
