Liverpool go big for attacking ace with spectacular signing to come at Real Madrid and Barcelona’s expense
Fabrizio Romano stressed Liverpool are “one to watch” when running the rule over an impending heavyweight battle to sign a Germany international.
The bulk of arrivals at Anfield this summer are expected to come in midfield. Arthur Melo’s agent recently confirmed the option in his client’s loan deal will not be triggered.
Elsewhere, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will both depart as free agents. Vice-captain James Milner may leave on a free too if Klopp’s calls for a contract extension aren’t heeded by Liverpool’s decision-makers.
But looking further into the future, attacking additions will quickly come back on Liverpool’s radar.
Indeed, Roberto Firmino will wave goodbye to the Reds at season’s end. Mohamed Salah, meanwhile will turn 31 in June and his contract will have just two years remaining come the end of this season.
Now, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Jurgen Klopp is sizing up a fellow German to revitalise his forward ranks.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed Bayer Leverkusen ace, Florian Wirtz, is a wanted man.
Aside from Liverpool and Klopp – who Romano revealed is a “big fan” of Wirtz – Real Madrid and Barcelona too like what they’ve seen from the 19-year-old.
As such, if Klopp is to bring Wirtz over to Merseyside, a deal may have to go through the two Spanish giants.
Liverpool “one to watch” for Leverkusen ace
“Barcelona are following the player, for sure,” said Romano. “The same also for Real Madrid, so the two Spanish clubs are monitoring the player.
“But I’m told that English clubs are also keeping an eye on Wirtz, especially the situation of Liverpool is one to watch.
“Liverpool are monitoring the player and I’m told Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a big fan of Florian Wirtz.”
Wirtz remarkably notched 10 goals and 14 assists in just 31 matches last term despite being just 18 years of age.
His season was cut short after suffering an ACL injury in March. However, Wirtz successfully returned to action in January of 2023 and has already bagged eight goal contributions in 13 appearances.
His versatility allows him to play in attacking midfield, behind the striker, as a false nine or on the right wing. Clearly, Klopp would have no issue finding a place for Wirtz at Anfield.
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When could Wirtz transfer occur?
On the subject of when Wirtz might leave Leverkusen, the reporter added: “The expectation around Wirtz and Leverkusen is for the player to stay at least for one more year.”
Among Wirtz’ ambitions is to play for Germany at Euro 2024 and Romano suggested he’ll stand a greater chance of breaking into the eleven if featuring regularly at Leverkusen.
Of course, a player of Wirtz’s calibre could quickly break into Liverpool’s strongest eleven too. However, given the competition for places in Klopp’s attacking ranks, that prospect is far less assured at Anfield.
A move in “summer 2024”, per Romano, is a more realistic expectation.
Romano did not hint at how much a Wirtz move would cost. However, that makes perfect sense given he’s unlikely to leave in 2023 and his value will largely be determined by how he performs in the next 15 months.
