The Liverpool Roundup – Florian Wirtz transfer, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit, PSR nightmare & more

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s boyhood dream comes to an end

Posted by Peter Kenny Jones

This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. Liverpool winning their second Premier League title in five years should have prompted a renewed sense of local pride in future captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Instead, the Reds’ vice skipper did nothing to dissuade Real Madrid from firming up their interest ahead of his contract expiring this June. Los Blancos, who made multiple attempts to unsettle player and club during the 2024/25 season, got their man.

Whether Arne Slot’s men lost the battle and the war, however, remains to be seen. Transfer sleuth (and sporting director) Richard Hughes did, somehow, manage to wrangle a juicy little fee from Real Madrid in exchange for Liverpool allowing the player to cut his contract short and hop on over to the Spanish capital in time for the Club World Cup.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop → Real Madrid pay up to secure Trent’s early Liverpool exit; deal confirmed

Florian Wirtz nears Liverpool move

Posted by Peter Kenny Jones

When there’s a premier German talent on the market in the Bundesliga, it generally seems a matter of time before they end up at FC Bayern. So, it’s testament to Liverpool’s recruitment team – not to mention Arne Slot’s pitching ability – that the Reds did more than just turn Florian Wirtz’s head.

“One chat with Arne Slot and he said, ‘Tschüss!’…”

So long, Bayern - I’m a Kopite now? 

By all accounts, Wirtz is totally committed to linking up with Arne Slot’s men this summer. It’s quite the turn of events given that the Leverkusen attacking midfielder was, quite recently, heavily tipped to replace Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City.

There’s now only one thing standing in the way of Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool move.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop → Reporter drops Wirtz claim and what he’s said privately will excite Liverpool fans

Will Liverpool sell Luis Diaz?

Posted by Farrell Keeling

If there’s one position the Reds could do with leaving damn well alone, it’s the left flank. Liverpool are currently blessed with a sensational blend of quality and depth between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.

If reports are to be believed, however, their respective futures at Anfield aren’t yet totally guaranteed. Neither footballer, it’s worth emphasising, is pushing hard for an exit from the club, yet suitors continue to disturb otherwise untroubled waters.

More on this story with Empire of the Kop → Luis Diaz made exit stance clear in fresh parade footage

Will all this spending leave Liverpool in PSR hell?

Posted by Liam Togher

Liverpool have no intention of letting the chasing pack catch up this summer. Deals in progress for Milos Kerkez and, in particular, Florian Wirtz clearly signal that Arne Slot’s men want to have one hand on the Premier League trophy before a ball is kicked in the 2025/26 season.

Kudus to Richard Hughes and his recruitment team! Though, you could forgive the more cautious amongst us for wondering whether the £100m-plus outlay on Wirtz alone could leave Liverpool in a spot of bother with PSR (profit and sustainability rules).

More on this story with Empire of the Kop → Report: Where Liverpool will stand with PSR if £180m transfer bonanza is completed

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