Florian Wirtz could move to Liverpool – but the deal isn't finalized yet. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Because of Wirtz: Leverkusen leaves Liverpool fidgeting

The transfer poker game for national team player Florian Wirtz is apparently entering the next round. According to a Kicker report, Bayer Leverkusen has also rejected the second offer from English champions Liverpool.

June 02, 2025

From: dpa/sn

The second offer was reportedly a fixed sum of €118 million plus €12 million in bonus payments. According to the report, Liverpool offered €100 million plus €15 million in additional payments in the first round of negotiations.

According to the trade magazine, Bayer bosses hope Kicker even more than the 150 million euros that managing director Fernando Carro had once publicly stated as the minimum sum last year.

More money or an additional player?

In order to overcome the current discrepancy of at least 20 million euros, Kicker Two variants are possible: new rounds of negotiations or the inclusion of another player in the mega deal.

Harvey Elliott (right) is a candidate for Leverkusen. © ANSA / PETER POWELL

According to the report, Leverkusen is interested in a Liverpool player, with attacking player Harvey Elliott said to be playing a role in the internal discussions. The pay-TV broadcaster Sky had recently linked the 2024 German champion with Elliott and his teammate Jarell Quansah.

That's why Wirtz is so expensive

The 22-year-old Wirtz has apparently decided to leave Leverkusen and move to Liverpool. The attacking star also turned down German record champions FC Bayern Munich, who were also strongly interested.

His contract with Bayer runs until the end of June 2027 and does not include an exit clause, so the transfer fee is freely negotiable. Manchester City reportedly dropped out of the race for Wirtz due to the costly overall package.