‘Liverpool agree absolutely enormous Florian Wirtz deal’
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz after making an “absolutely enormous” commitment.
The Germany international is the headline summer target for the Merseyside giants following his strong performances in the Bundesliga.
The 22-year-old registered 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances for Leverkusen in the 2024-25 season.
Manchester City were also in the race to sign Wirtz this summer, but they pulled out of any potential deal after he prioritised a move to Anfield.
It has been widely reported Liverpool have now reached an agreement worth £100million plus £16.5million in add-ons to sign the attacking midfielder.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the Reds have made an “absolutely enormous” commitment after agreeing to sign Wirtz.
German newspaper Bild reported on 6 June Wirtz is set to be handed a five-year deal, which will be worth around £355,000 a week.
Liverpool hit by additional expenses in Florian Wirtz deal
Borson revealed Liverpool will pay other expenses on top of the transfer fee and hefty wages to sign Wirtz.
He told Football Insider: “He clearly wanted to go to Liverpool.
“Let’s not say it’s just about money. I really don’t believe that. I think he chose Liverpool.
“But he chose Liverpool no doubt on the basis that they were paying a commensurate salary to the other offers that he had.
“It looks like it’s about £200,000 net, which would be around about £350,000 and puts him probably just under Salah and Van Dijk, with capacity to be at that level going forward if he’s a success, which you would expect him to be given his reputation and given the cost.
“But clearly, a player at £350-360,000 is going to cost £20million a year. You shouldn’t also forget, we’re now in a world where national insurance is 15 per cent on top that the clubs have to pay now.
“When the wages are £350,000 a week, 15 per cent on top is very material in itself. That’s still millions of pounds of additional costs on top. That is just football in 2025.
“But it’s an extremely expensive deal even if it’s just £100million, plus £20-25million per annum for five or six years.
“I think that’s the other thing. It’s very unlikely that Liverpool are going to do a five-year deal for this kind of money.
“They will probably do a six-plus-one maybe, so the overall commitment there is absolutely enormous.
“But clearly, they think he has the potential to be the best player in the world, and so that’s what the best player in the world costs.”
Liverpool turn attention to big-money Rafael Leao deal
Recruitment expert Mick Brown told Football Insider Liverpool scouts have been tracking Rafael Leao following uncertainty surrounding Luis Diaz’s future.
Leao is a target for several Premier League clubs amid growing speculation he could leave AC Milan for “big money” this summer.
Arsenal are also interested in signing Leao and could make a move for him if Gabriel Martinelli leaves the Emirates in the coming weeks.
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