Liverpool's Mega-Deal for Wirtz in Limbo: Bayer Leverkusen Rejects Second Offer
Bayer has turned down a second proposal from Liverpool for highly-rated midfielder Florian Wirtz. - Bayer has turned down a second proposal from Liverpool for the acquisition of Wirtz.
It looks like the battle for Florian Wirtz is heating up! According to a report from "Kicker," Bayer Leverkusen has once again declined Liverpool FC's offer for the star player. The latest bid was said to be a fixed sum of 118 million euros, with an additional 12 million in bonuses.
In the initial talks, Liverpool reportedly offered 100 million euros, topped with 15 million euros in added extras. But Bayer Leverkusen's brass are holding out for a deal worth more than the 150 million euros once publicly stated by general manager Fernando Carro as the minimum price.
Money talks or is a player the trick?
To bridge the significant gap of at least 20 million euros, two options are on the table: further discussions or the inclusion of another player in the mega-deal.
Reports suggest that Leverkusen is eyeing a Liverpool pro, with offensive player Harvey Elliott figuring prominently in their internal discussions. Sky Sports has also linked the German champions of 2024 with Elliott and Jarell Quansah, his teammate.
What makes Wirtz so pricey
The 22-year-old Wirtz has made his intentions clear to depart Leverkusen for Liverpool. He's also turned down the aggressive pursuit of German record champions FC Bayern Munich.
Wirtz's contract with Bayer extends till June 2027 without a release clause, making the transfer fee open to negotiation. With Manchester City dropping out of the race due to the expensive overall package, Liverpool remains the front-runner.
- Florian Wirtz
- Leverkusen
- Liverpool
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- FC Liverpool
- Harvey Elliott
[Enrichment Data]The uncertainty surrounding the mega-deal between Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool FC primarily revolves around the financial aspects of the transfer. Leverkusen is seeking a package worth €150 million (£127 million, $172 million), which would shatter numerous transfer records. Despite Liverpool's willingness to pay this amount, negotiations are ongoing regarding the structure of the payment, specifically the down payment and the amount consisting of add-ons and bonuses. Competition from other potential suitors, such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, could complicate negotiations or raise Leverkusen's expectations. Potential solutions for bridging the gap might involve further negotiations or the inclusion of another player in the deal, although player swaps have not been explicitly mentioned. Liverpool's focus appears to be on finalizing the transfer based on financial terms, rather than engaging in player swaps.
- The Commission has not yet received any information regarding the financial negotiations between Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool FC, specifically regarding the transfer of Florian Wirtz.
- Amidst the ongoing discussions for Florian Wirtz's transfer, football enthusiasts remain curious about the potential impact of the deal, considering its potential to shatter European leagues' transfer records, such as the Premier League.
