Exclusive: Liverpool ready to ‘concede’ to Leverkusen on record Florian Wirtz deal
Liverpool will pay whatever it takes to complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s star man Florian Wirtz, according to Dan Plumley.
The football finance expert exclusively told to Football Insider that the Reds can afford a deal for the 22-year-old, even if the fee ends up higher than they want it to be.
Prior to the opening of the transfer window, Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Man City were the favourites to sign Wirtz.
The Sky Blues required a new creator-in-chief, with Kevin De Bruyne departing the club, with a move to Napoli in the works.
But despite interest from Bayern Munich and City, Wirtz has chosen Liverpool as his preferred destination.
However, Leverkusen and the Premier League champions are yet to agree on a fee for the 22-year-old, delaying the midfield maestro’s arrival at Anfield.
As reported by MailOnline, Liverpool have tabled three bids for Wirtz, with the latest being worth £100million plus £14m in add-ons.
But whilst the two clubs are still working on agreeing on a fee for the German international, Plumley has explained that the Merseyside club will have no issue financing a deal.
Florian Wirtz will join Liverpool for ‘British record’ fee
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider the finance expert revealed Liverpool can afford to sign Wirtz without the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) being a hinderance.
When asked whether the Reds may reach a point where the price for the midfielder is no longer feasible, he said: “I think only insofar as if they don’t want to pay that price.
“If you look at what they can afford, and of course, we talk about PSR so much during these transfer windows nowadays, but they can afford that price.
“It comes down to ultimately what they want to pay, it’s looking like it’ll probably be a British record, whichever way you kind of cut those numbers.
“In terms of can they pay, yes? So it probably becomes a case of, do they want to pay? But it seems also clear that he’s the player that they want.
“They might have to concede a little bit there on the price tag.”
Liverpool recognise threat of Man City, Chelsea to Premier League crown
Having reclaimed the title of champions of England for the first time in five years, Liverpool are being proactive in their attempts to win the Premier League again next season.
Pep Guardiola’s side finished 13 points behind Slot’s team and in response, City have signed Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Coupling those moves with a hefty outlay in January, the Sky Blues are making clear they have no plans to play second fiddle to Liverpool next season.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to build off the back of a strong end to their season, and have already completed the signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich.
Martin Allen revealed to Liverpool News that the Reds may be forced to sell Jarell Quansah to Everton in the upcoming transfer window, but they look set to headline the incoming moves sooner rather than later.