Here’s the latest Liverpool transfer news for you to catch up on. The Reds must pay £130m for a key target.
Wirtz to cost £130m
Liverpool-linked Florian Wirtz currently plays his football for Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, working under former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso.
The 21-year-old is contracted at the German club until 2027, so any move away next summer will come with a seismic fee.
German journalist Christian Falk has today revealed Wirtz’s wish to leave the club in 2025 to make his next career step.
Leverkusen are wanting a fee of €150m for their star man with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester City all interested in the midfielder.
It can be argued Liverpool should be prioritising other positions to strengthen before their midfield but Richard Hughes alluded to the idea of being opportunistic at the start of the summer – and how many opportunities are more attractive than acquiring one of Europe’s most exciting prodigies?
Merlin Rohl’s new contract
Liverpool can still sign Merlin Rohl despite his brand-new contract at SC Freiburg. That won’t be enough to stop the Reds.
Bild journalist Christian Falk claimed yesterday that Liverpool are in the market for Merlin Rohl. The 22-year-old midfielder is currently at SC Freiburg and making waves in the Bundesliga.
Falk made one other claim – that Freiburg had offered the player a new contract to remain with the club long-term, directly because of Liverpool’s interest. He didn’t mention, however, that Rohl had actually signed that contract back on September 18th.
But we don’t believe that is enough to panic Liverpool here. If they want Rohl, this contract won’t be enough to stop them – and we can clearly see why they’d want Rohl.
Alisson commits again
There remains uncertainty around the futures of a number of Liverpool’s big names.
Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all at risk of leaving the club on a free transfer next summer as they enter the final year on their contracts.
The trio can begin talks with foreign clubs from as soon as January in regards to potential moves, building the pressure up on Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
One Liverpool star however, has confirmed he remains committed to the Anfield side after snubbing off transfer interest this summer.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has once again reiterated he’s desire to stay on Merseyside in a recent interview with Joe Hart for the BBC.
“I am committed to this club 100% and that involves being part of the leadership group,” he said.
Liverpool like Pulisic
With uncertainty revolving around the future of Mo Salah, plenty of talk has commenced on who is the most suitable successor to take over from the Liverpool talisman.
Despite recently striking a deal for Federico Chiesa, Liverpool would likely delve into the market once more if Salah does depart Anfield next summer.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool have taken note of Christian Pulisic’s bright start to the season, which has seen the American grab three goals and two assists in the opening five Serie A games.
The report adds that Liverpool are unlikely to make any decision on signing Pulisic or any Salah replacement until the Egyptian’s future is resolved, with the Reds still desperate to tie their talisman down to a new contract despite him suggesting this could be his final season at Anfield.
The Reds have already had a taste of Pulisic’s quality this season with the USMNT star netting an early opener in their Champions League encounter last week, which Liverpool ultimately came away 3-1 winners.
Italian outlet Calciomercato have claimed that Liverpool would need to double the €20 million (£16.6m/$22.3m) Milan paid for Pulisic in July 2023.
