Liverpool set to spend ‘everything’ on €120m star, offering record deal to Real Madrid and Man City

Liverpool are a big fan of Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and are reportedly willing to splash the cash to sign him next summer.

Arne Slot is looking to introduce more competition for Dominik Szoboszlai, with the 21-year-old German international seen as an ideal candidate by the Reds.

Wirtz played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga and FA Cup titles in 2023/24, and Liverpool are now set to sign star Xabi Alonso.

According to the journalist Diego MengualReal Madrid are “keeping a close eye on” Wirtz and are in the “best position” to sign him.

However, it was claimed that Liverpool were “willing to pay €120m (£100.6m; $134m)” for Wirtz, which is “what Leverkusen are asking for” – putting Madrid’s bid in jeopardy.

Wirtz has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2027 and has an excellent relationship with manager Alonso, so he has no intention of leaving the club anytime soon.

But that could change if clubs like Madrid and Liverpool come calling next summer, but they are not the only European giants interested in signing him.

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Man City also plans to acquire Wirtz

As reported on Friday, Manchester City are also interested in Wirtz and see him as the ideal successor to Kevin de Bruyne in the long term.

De Bruyne, 33, is out of contract next summer and is unlikely to sign an extension. Saudi Pro League clubs are monitoring his situation and are ready to offer him a huge fee.

The Belgian’s departure could trigger a big-money move from Man City for Wirtz next summer. Leverkusen’s valuation of Wirtz is unlikely to change, so his suitors will have to come up with €120m to sign him.

Liverpool would have to break their transfer record to sign Wirtz but they previously made a similar bid when trying to beat Chelsea to Moises Caicedo, for whom they were prepared to pay £111m.

Wirtz is also admired by Bayern Munich players, who cannot be ruled out from the race for the attacking midfielder for now.

Liverpool are looking for a new left-back, with Viktor Gyokeres in their sights

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also considering signing a new left-back to compete with Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser (Fletcher) Gillan revealed earlier this week that Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has been identified as a target by the Reds’ recruitment team.

Chelsea and Manchester United have previously been linked with Kerkez, but according to an update from Fabrizio Romano, interest in the defender has waned.

Liverpool therefore have a chance to sign Kerkez in January, but it will not be cheap as Bournemouth consider him a key player.

The Reds are also among the clubs interested in Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyokeres, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea also interested in the former Coventry man, who has an £85million release clause.

In the spotlight: Florian Wirtz vs Dominik Szoboszlai

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