Where does Wirtz rank in all-time Premier League Transfers?

Liverpool is finalizing a €150m agreement to acquire Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, setting a new British transfer record.

Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool are reportedly in discussions over a €150 million transfer for Florian Wirtz. On Monday, it was reported that an agreement had been reached between both parties. As the German national team player showcased his skills at the UEFA Nations League final four last week, the two clubs were finalising an agreement.

After rejecting several bids from Liverpool, Leverkusen's management had firmly stated that Wirtz can only depart for a fee of around €150m. Now, that unwavering resolve is poised to yield results for the Bundesliga club, with Wirtz set to head to Liverpool soon for a medical examination and to finalise his contract.

The Most Expensive Player in Premier League History

Upon finalisation, Wirtz will set records as the priciest German player, the highest transfer in Premier League history, and the third most costly player globally. 

The Transfer Market database reveals that the transfer fee for the 22-year-old playmaker exceeds the €121 million that Chelsea paid to Benfica for Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández back in January 2023. This agreement surpasses the amount Chelsea invested in Moisés Caicedo from Brighton back in August 2023. The agreement, with additional incentives, has the potential to escalate to €133 million.

Liverpool are favourites on top-rated sports betting sites to retain their EPL title this coming season. Still, with a record signing in tow, the pressure to meet those probabilities of success will be higher than ever!  

What is Wirtz’s standing among German ballers?

Bayer Leverkusen currently boasts the record for the most expensive player in the history of German football. In the summer of 2020, the Werkself made headlines by transferring Kai Havertz to Chelsea for a staggering €80 million. Following his decisive goal in the 2021 Champions League final, Havertz made a high-profile move to city rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2023 for €75m, marking the second-largest transfer fee ever for a German player. To provide some context, the Wirtz deal alone is nearly on par with the total value of the two Havertz transfers combined!

One of the Highest Paid Players at Anfield 

Not only is Wirtz set to break Premier League signing fee records, but he’s also looking at a tidy pay slip each week.

As reported by German outlet Bild, Wirtz is poised to rake in approximately £355,000 weekly at Anfield, positioning him among the top earners in the squad. With a five-year contract in place, that would mean that he’d rake in approximately £85 million in wages by 2030.

With those weekly earnings, he is set to become Liverpool’s highest-paid midfielder, raking in more than double what players like Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch earn, each taking home £150,000 per week.  

Record signing – What impact will Wirtz have on the Reds?

The transfer injects fresh excitement into Liverpool’s rich and illustrious legacy. The English record champions have historically refrained from spending more than €100m on a new signing. Darwin Núñez has set the bar high with his current record, as the Uruguayan forward joined the club for a staggering €85m prior to the 2022/23 season, making the move from the renowned Portuguese side Benfica.

Wirtz is set to make history as the most expensive transfer from the Bundesliga, surpassing the previous record held by Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian attacking midfielder made his move from RB Leipzig for a hefty €70m during the summer transfer window of 2023.

One of the most dominant German talents alive 

What should Liverpool supporters anticipate from Wirtz? Wirtz stands out as one of the most gifted German footballers we've seen in recent memory. Wirtz truly left his mark on German football during the 2023/24 season, leading Leverkusen to an unprecedented achievement as they became the first Bundesliga club to clinch the title without a single defeat. During that stretch, Wirtz tallied 11 goals and 12 assists across 32 games.

Despite a slight decline for Leverkusen this season, Wirtz continued to shine, contributing ten goals and 13 assists across 30 Bundesliga matches. The 22-year-old netted six goals and provided one assist across nine Champions League matches. 

There’s an undeniable feeling that we’re only scratching the surface here, and his market value clearly illustrates this, currently sitting at €140m.

Written by Alan Spencer