Liverpool step up bid to land Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz: reports

Florian Wirtz has reportedly said that he wants to join Liverpool before next season. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

UPDATED May 31, 2025, 10:33 AM

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LONDON – Liverpool have made an improved £109 million (S$189 million) bid to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to reports on May 30.

The English Premier League champions’ second offer for Wirtz includes add-on clauses that would make him the most expensive signing in the club’s history.

Wirtz has also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City, but it is believed that he made it clear to Leverkusen that he wants to join Liverpool before next season.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said earlier in the week Liverpool had “concrete interest” in Wirtz.

The German club’s chief executive Fernando Carro had previously insisted that he would not let his player leave for less than £125 million.

The 22-year-old emerged as one of the most highly-rated young playmakers in Europe after helping Leverkusen win their first Bundesliga crown in 2023-24, together with the German Cup.

He was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for his role in that triumph.

He featured in 31 Bundesliga matches this season, scoring 10 goals as Leverkusen finished second behind Bayern in the title race.

Wirtz has scored 57 goals in 197 games since making his Leverkusen debut aged just 17 after signing from Cologne in 2020.

The news came as Liverpool announced their signing of defender Jeremie Frimpong, Wirtz’s Leverkusen teammate, on a long-term contract.

Financial details were not disclosed by either club, but British media reported Liverpool triggered a €35 million (S$51 million) release clause for the Dutch international, whose deal with Leverkusen was valid until 2028.

The transfer was announced hours after Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool on a six-year deal, with Frimpong set to replace the England defender as he becomes manager Arne Slot’s first signing after they won the Premier League title.

“It went quite easy,” the 24-year-old told the club website. “Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer.

“For me, it was like, ‘Whatever you guys do, just get this done’.”

Frimpong, who will officially join on June 1, signed a five-year contract, media reports said.

The right-back, who can also play as a winger, also played a key role in the Leverkusen side that won the domestic double in 2023-24, chipping in with 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.

Frimpong also recorded 12 assists this season, adding five goals, from 48 appearances in all competitions.

A product of City’s academy, he joined Leverkusen in 2021 from Scottish side Celtic.

He has represented the Netherlands on 12 occasions, scoring one goal, since making his debut with the senior squad in October 2023 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against France.

“Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together,” Frimpong added.

“I’m just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won’t let you guys down and I’ll give you the energy that you guys want.” 

He is now set to join a Dutch contingent at Liverpool that includes Slot as well as club captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, also saw Jonathan Tah leave after the German defender signed a four-year contract with Bayern.

The 28-year-old, who made 402 appearances for Leverkusen, joined Bayern on a free transfer.

“I’m very happy to be at FC Bayern. I want to take on responsibility here and work hard every day so that we’re successful as a team and win lots of trophies together,” Tah said in a statement.

Tah started his senior career at Hamburg and joined Leverkusen in 2015, making his Germany debut during his first year at the club and racking up 35 international appearances. AFP, REUTERS

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