Wirtz phone call says it all after anfield and slot sparked liverpool u-turn

FLORIAN WIRTZ IS CLOSING IN ON A RECORD MOVE TO LIVERPOOL FROM BAYER LEVERKUSEN, AND A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT GESTURE TOWARDS VINCENT KOMPANY SHOWS THE KIND OF CHARACTER THE REDS ARE GETTING

14:54, 28 May 2025 Liverpool aren't just eyeing a top-tier talent in Florian Wirtz - they're chasing a player with genuine character. That became apparent through a small, but

meaningful, gesture the German playmaker extended toward Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany. Wirtz is on the cusp of becoming the most expensive signing in Premier League history this

summer, with Liverpool in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a blockbuster deal. The Merseyside club submitted an initial proposal worth £84million plus performance-based bonuses,

though Leverkusen are believed to be seeking a figure closer to the £126m mark. Bayern Munich had ambitions of beating Liverpool to Wirtz's signature, having worked on a transfer for

several months behind the scenes, but learned last week that the midfielder is prioritising a move to Anfield. In an act of class and respect, Wirtz is said to have personally phoned Kompany

to explain his reasoning, according to Bild. This gesture indicates that the 22-year-old offers more than just technical brilliance - he also appears to bring maturity and professionalism

that would benefit Liverpool, assuming the deal is finalised in the coming weeks. That maturity might explain why Liverpool are prepared to smash their existing transfer record to secure his

services. Ownership group Fenway Sports Group (FSG) reportedly gave the green light for a massive offer earlier this month, following CEO Michael Edwards' visit to the US to pitch

Wirtz's value face-to-face. However, Wirtz's rejection of Bayern wasn't purely about Liverpool's financial clout. The same Bild report claims he was moved by the

atmosphere at Anfield during Leverkusen's Champions League clash against the Reds last November. The day after the match, Leverkusen were invited to train at Liverpool's Melwood

complex - and Wirtz was said to be deeply impressed by the "state-of-the-art" setup. Liverpool manager Arne Slot is also thought to have been influential in swaying Wirtz, even if

indirectly. Having evolved from a promising youngster into an international sensation under the tutelage of former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, who, as a midfielder himself, knew how to

nurture his skills, Wirtz is reportedly optimistic that Slot, also an ex-midfielder, will continue that developmental trajectory on Merseyside. His recent performances in Germany have been

nothing short of electrifying. Wirtz was one of the standout players in Leverkusen's triumphant Bundesliga campaign of 2023/24, and he's recorded an outstanding 31 goal

involvements in 45 outings this season. If the switch to Liverpool is sealed, expectations will be enormous. He'll face immense pressure to deliver from day one, particularly if he

eclipses the club's current transfer record, held by Darwin Nunez, who arrived from Benfica for £85m in 2022, but has struggled to meet expectations. Article continues below If

Leverkusen's demands are met, Wirtz would officially become the priciest player in English football history. The existing record is held by Moises Caicedo, whose £115m switch from

Brighton to Chelsea in 2023 - a transfer Liverpool nearly hijacked - set the benchmark, just ahead of Chelsea's £106m move for Enzo Fernandez and the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice.

Still, it wouldn't surpass the biggest deal involving a Premier League team, which remains Philippe Coutinho's £142m transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018.