Liverpool have agreed a landmark deal to sign German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a total package worth £116 million. The agreement includes a guaranteed £100 million payment, with an additional £16 million in performance-related bonuses, which would only be triggered if the club achieves significant long-term success.
While the deal does not surpass the initial £107 million Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2023, it could ultimately set a new British transfer record if the full add-ons are met. Regardless, the transfer makes Wirtz the most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history.
The Reds’ previous club-record deals include the acquisition of striker Darwin Núñez from Benfica for an initial £64 million, potentially rising to £85 million, and the £75 million signing of defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich were also linked with Wirtz, but Liverpool were able to secure his signature after he reportedly expressed a strong desire to move to Anfield. The final agreement came in slightly under Leverkusen’s £126 million valuation.
Wirtz, 22, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since making his debut for Leverkusen at 17. He scored 57 goals in 197 appearances and was instrumental in the club’s historic Bundesliga title win in 2024. On the international stage, he has netted seven goals in 31 appearances for Germany since his debut in 2021.
He becomes Liverpool’s second signing from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, joining right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who completed a £34 million switch earlier in the window.
