Jamie Carragher sends message to Florian Wirtz after Liverpool developments
Jamie Carragher has sent a message to prospective new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz as he closes in on a move to Anfield.
Liverpool always seemed likely to make a high-profile addition to their squad this summer, even after a comfortable Premier League title win, and they now look to be closing in on one of the biggest deals in English football history.
Wirtz, 22, has been a star in the Bundesliga for a number of years, and is now a regular for the German national team after firing Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented unbeaten league title in 2024.
Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Liverpool were making progress towards a huge deal to sign Wirtz after meetings with him and his family, despite serious interest in his services from Bayern Munich.
With the transfer window set to reopen on Monday (16 June), the Reds are seemingly close to finalising a move for the playmaker after The Athletic recently reported that they had agreed a €136.3million (£116m) total fee for his signature with Leverkusen.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher sends ‘welcome’ message to Florian Wirtz
Football finance expert Dan Plumley revealed to Football Insider on 12 June that Liverpool’s revenue and recent on-field success means they can afford a deal for Wirtz with relative ease.
The Athletic’s report has confirmed that the transfer is set to be made up of a €117.5m (£100m) upfront fee with a further €18.8m (£16m) in add-ons, and the full figure would represent a British record transfer.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 197 | 57 | 65 |
There is understandable excitement from Reds fans at the prospect of one of the football’s hottest prospects joining a squad that just won the Premier League, and that clearly extends to club legend and pundit Jamie Carragher, who shared a Sky Sports post of the deal to his Instagram story with a one-word message of: “Welcome,” as he also tagged the German’s account.
Liverpool’s record appearance holder may have slightly jumped the gun on welcoming Wirtz to Merseyside, but that in itself shows how much anticipation there is for a move that could go a long way to helping the club build a dynasty under Arne Slot on both a domestic and European level.
Liverpool set to spend big this summer in the search of more success
Football Insider verdict
Liverpool won the Premier League last season in Slot’s maiden season in charge, and they are certainly not resting on their laurels after a slow end to the campaign that will likely have reinforced their desire to be active in the transfer market this summer.
Wirtz is obviously set to be the most high-profile addition of their window, but he will definitely not be the last despite the Reds’ wage bill surpassing £400million for the first time in the 2024-25 season, as revealed by Football Insider.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is a target for Slot ahead of the new season, but they will need to offload a forward to bring him in with Darwin Nunez expected to leave Anfield soon.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (13 June) that the Reds have been told it would take an offer of £75-80million to sign Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon this summer, so more big spending is likely alongside Wirtz arrival.
Liverpool have also been heavily linked with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, while they have already raided Leverkusen to sign Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m [BBC] this summer, so their eventual transfer outlay looks set to easily surpass £200m.