Liverpool submit €100m bid for Florian Wirtz: Club ready to break transfer record

Premier League champions Liverpool have made a powerful start to the 2025 summer window with an official offer for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. According to Fabrizio Romano, the bid includes a guaranteed base fee of €100 million, supported by performance-related bonuses that could raise the total value to around €130 million.

Despite Liverpool's aggressive approach, Bayer Leverkusen are holding firm. The German side are unwilling to engage in negotiations unless their €150m valuation is met. There are no indications yet that they will settle for less—even with add-ons.

Arne Slot's personal touch proved decisive

A key turning point in the transfer saga came when Liverpool manager Arne Slot personally met with Wirtz. According to BILD, the meeting played a major role in Wirtz's preference for Liverpool over other suitors. Slot reportedly outlined the midfielder’s potential tactical role and detailed how he fits into the club’s long-term plans.

Both This Is Anfield and Bavarian Football Works have echoed reports that Bayern Munich’s long-standing interest has cooled after Wirtz made Liverpool his preferred destination.

Club confirmation: Rolfes acknowledges Liverpool’s interest

On Monday, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes publicly confirmed Liverpool’s pursuit of the 22-year-old during a press conference announcing Erik ten Hag as the club’s new manager:

“Florian is our player. Yes, there is interest. Liverpool’s approach is concrete. But there’s nothing more to say at this stage.”

Ten Hag, seated next to Rolfes, praised Wirtz but was noncommittal about his future:

“It’s been a pleasure to watch him. His development has been outstanding. But in football, nothing is certain until the first of September.”

This marks the first time Liverpool’s approach has been officially acknowledged by Leverkusen leadership.

Leverkusen’s line: €150m or nothing

Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro made his stance clear weeks ago, stating there is no release clause in Wirtz’s contract and that any offer below €150 million will not be considered:

“There is no release clause. Florian’s value is clear to us. We won’t even begin talks for less than €150 million.”

BILD further reported that Leverkusen intend to stick to this valuation—particularly when dealing with Premier League clubs.

Wirtz: Bundesliga's finest and Germany's rising star

Wirtz was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2023/24 after helping Leverkusen complete an unbeaten league title run. He recorded 16 goals and 15 assists in 34 league appearances and played a pivotal role in their historic campaign.

Across his club career so far, he has delivered 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 matches.

On the international stage, Wirtz has become a fixture in Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany squad, starting regularly at EURO 2024. He scored one goal and assisted another in a statement performance against France, prompting Nagelsmann to describe him as:

“A modern number ten who can change the rhythm of any match.”