Liverpool have secured Florian Wirtz in a club-record £100m transfer, a deal potentially rising to a British record £116m.
“His name is going to go stratospheric in the next season or two.”
According to German football expert Raphael Honigstein, Liverpool’s acquisition of the 22-year-old attacking midfielder could be a defining transfer of the summer.
Honigstein lauded Wirtz’s “class and poise” on BBC Radio 5 Live, describing him as a “fully-formed article.” He acknowledged the Premier League’s physicality will present an adjustment, but highlighted Wirtz’s experience with Leverkusen and the German national team, emphasizing his resilience and “superstar” potential.
Wirtz’s impressive career trajectory includes becoming the youngest Bundesliga goalscorer at 17, and amassing 44 assists in the league—a remarkable feat, especially considering the age of other top assist providers.
He joins fellow Leverkusen alumnus, Jeremie Frimpong, in Liverpool’s summer acquisitions. Further bolstering their squad, the Reds are pursuing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez in a deal potentially worth £45-£50m.
Honigstein credits Liverpool’s “thought-out vision” and clear plan for Wirtz’s integration as key factors securing the deal, contrasting it with the challenges other clubs faced in accommodating him.
Wirtz’s primary role is as a dynamic number 10, known for his pace, vision, and dribbling prowess. His effectiveness last season, particularly in creating chances between defensive lines, further underscores his value.
His arrival raises questions about squad integration, particularly within Liverpool’s midfield. While Ryan Gravenberch appears established, competition for the number 10 role between Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister is anticipated. Alternative deployment on the flanks or as a false nine within a 4-3-3 formation, a system favored by manager Arne Slot, are also plausible options.
Liverpool’s Anfield Wrap podcaster John Gibbons suggests that Wirtz’s versatility could address the team’s relative lack of central attacking form, potentially mimicking PSG’s successful use of a non-traditional striker supported by dynamic wing play.
Liverpool agree £116m deal for Wirtz
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Wirtz’s exceptional 2023-24 season saw him create an unprecedented 70 chances from open play, instrumental in Leverkusen’s title win. His comeback from a long-term ACL injury is also noteworthy, highlighting his resilience and determination.
The transfer reflects a close family collaboration; his sister plays professionally, his mother coaches handball, and his father—in his 70s—acts as his agent, managing both his son’s career and a local amateur football club.
This unique family dynamic, while unusual in modern football, offers a different perspective on career management, as highlighted by German football writer Constantin Eckner.
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