Liverpool triumphed in the Premier League five weeks ago, defeating Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield to ultimately capture their 20th top division trophy on Sunday.
Even though Arne Slot’s team has, understandably, slowed down since completing the deal, only managing two points out of a possible twelve, sporting director Richard Hughes has been working extra hours to get a number of transfer deals completed before the window has even opened and the 2024–25 season has even ended.
Liverpool has acted swiftly to close agreements for Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who might dominate Merseyside’s wide wings for years to come, as Trent Alexander-Arnold is on the move and Andy Robertson is on the decline.
Though Bayer Leverkusen was revealed to have received Liverpool’s first official proposal on Monday morning, valued more than €100 million (£85 million), Florian Wirtz is undoubtedly the best of the lot.
FSG will finish this one unless something unexpected and big happens. Let’s examine his potential fit.
With just 197 senior games for the Werkself, 22-year-old Wirtz has already established a stellar career for himself in his native Germany, tallying 57 goals and 65 assists.
He won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen last year, and for his troubles, he was named the division’s Player of the Season. He was unstoppable and stubborn.
It is uncommon for a player to evoke such an enthralling reaction from supporters while yet being a dynamic and diligent practitioner of his art, so perceptive and cognizant of his environment, both friendly and hostile.
According to FBref, Wirtz ranked in the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 7% for goal contributions among positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues this season. His versatility allowed him to play a wide range of roles at Anfield.
In addition, he has consistently produced at the level of a world-class player, with the 2022–2023 season standing out as an isolated anomaly because of his ACL injury, which he amazingly recovered from.
Wirtz is a brilliant playmaker, of course, and every great playmaker requires a focal point to guide their inventiveness. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is “planning to leave” this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, and FSG has already found their ideal replacement.
Newcastle United finished fifth in the league on the last day, guaranteeing them a spot in the Champions League the following year. According to renowned reporter David Ornstein, that suggests Alexander Isak is not going anywhere.
Hugo Ekitike, a forward for Eintracht Frankfurt, has reportedly drawn FSG’s undivided attention and is now their top target, suggesting that Liverpool has discovered the ideal substitute.
Richard Hughes, the sporting director of Anfield, will have to put in a lot of effort to win this game.
