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FLORIAN WIRTZ IS A LEADING TRANSFER TARGET FOR LIVERPOOL 20:59, 23 May 2025Updated 20:59, 23 May 2025 Liverpool have made initial contact with Bayer Leverkusen over Florian Wirtz as they
look to put the wheels in motion for a blockbuster transfer this summer window. The Reds made it known to Wirtz's entourage last week that they would be interested in a deal with
Leverkusen, if the 22-year-old decided he wanted a fresh challenge away from the Bundesliga. At the time, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were still in the race and the expectation at
Anfield had been that the player would opt to stay in his homeland either with Leverkusen, to help them moved past the Xabi Alonso era, or with Bayern, who wrestled back their Bundesliga
title from die Werkself this season. READ MORE: Liverpool confirm another departure as Anfield set for major change after 54 yearsREAD MORE: Ryan Gravenberch on midfield transformation,
what's annoyed him this season and Liverpool transfer hope However, it was reported on Friday evening that Bayern had increasingly accepted that Wirtz was leaning towards Liverpool and
the Premier League champions are now in direct contact with Bayer over a deal that could smash the club's £75m transfer record, paid to land Virgil van Dijk in January 2018. Wirtz has
been rated at around £125m and the cost of financing the deal was reported to have been the reason behind City's decision to walk away as they plot a rebuild under Pep Guardiola this
summer. It's understood an agreement is not yet close between the two clubs but Wirtz has been earmarked as a priority signing at Anfield as they look to bolster their squad further
after a successful Premier League term under Arne Slot. Article continues below Dialogue with the German side over Wirtz has been aided by the ongoing conversations regarding Jeremie
Frimpong, who is expected to be confirmed as a Reds signing undergoing a medical late last week. The versatile playmaker was criticised by Bayern legend Stefan Effenberg in German media last
week for deliberating on his next career move, with the ex-midfielder saying: "I think it's a shame that there has still been no official statement from the Wirtz side about the
direction in which things could go. So all sides - clubs, fans, the public - remain in the dark for far too long. This is tiring and not appropriate to the situation." CELEBRATE
LIVERPOOL'S PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY LIFT AND ICONIC PARADE WITH PERFECT SOUVENIR This Liverpool ECHO special edition looks back at a remarkable season, but is packed full of images from
both the trophy lift at Anfield and the parade through the streets of the city. There are features, reaction from players and staff, analysis of how the title was won as well as player
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MAY 27. YOU CAN ALSO BUY THEM ONLINE HERE. POSTAGE AND PACKAGE COSTS APPLY. You can also buy our 48-page keepsake from when Liverpool confirmed the title with victory over Spurs HERE! And
you can also order a copy of the Monday, April 28 Liverpool ECHO celebrating Liverpool's triumph direct to your home on our online store. Also available is the Liverpool FC CHAMP20NS:
Premier League winners 24/25, with a double sided poster. Pre-order here: https://reachsportshop.com/special_edition/liverpool-fc-champ20ns-premier-league-winners-24-25/ Speaking about Wirtz
in his final press conference as Leverkusen boss, former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso said: "Flo is one of the top players in the world. He is world-class. Flo has a very mature mind.
The people around him, his parents, they want the best for him. "They are in a very important moment of his career. Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo, and I will be happy for
him. Let's wait a little bit. It's normal in football that there are rumours, especially with such a special player." The Leverkusen No.10 would represent something of a
statement signing for Slot's champions as they look to consolidate after wrapping up a 20th league title with four games to spare last month. Article continues below Wirtz, who can play
in a number of positions across the front, is currently on holiday after concluding his Bundesliga term last weekend.