Liverpool Shatter Transfer Record with £116m Capture of Leverkusen Star Wirtz

Liverpool have secured German playmaker Florian Wirtz in a landmark £116m deal from Bayer Leverkusen, making him their most expensive signing ever ahead of the new season.

By Mulinda Akiibu

June 21, 2025 at 5:42 AM

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Key Takeaways

Liverpool has set a new transfer record by signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz for £116m.
Wirtz, a 22-year-old German international, has signed a five-year contract with Liverpool, committing until 2030.
The deal surpasses Liverpool's previous record transfer fee of £75m for Virgil van Dijk in 2018.
Wirtz has an impressive track record, scoring 57 goals and providing 44 assists in 197 appearances for Leverkusen.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will have to decide how to integrate Wirtz into the team, as the playmaker can operate in multiple attacking roles.

Liverpool have completed a seismic transfer coup, announcing the £116m acquisition of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz. The 22-year-old German international finalized a five-year contract at Anfield following a medical examination at the club's training facilities on Friday, committing his future to Merseyside until summer 2030.

Record-Breaking Investment

This monumental transaction surpasses Liverpool's previous transfer benchmark – the £75m paid for Virgil van Dijk in 2018 – with an initial £100m outlay plus performance-related add-ons valued at £16m. Should all bonuses be triggered, the total fee would eclipse Chelsea's £107m British record purchase of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.

"My ambition is to win every trophy annually," declared Wirtz. "We'll focus on reclaiming the Premier League and advancing deeper in the Champions League. The Premier League represents an exhilarating new challenge – I'm eager to prove myself on this stage."

Attacking Pedigree

Wirtz arrives with exceptional credentials, having netted 57 goals across 197 appearances for Leverkusen while providing 44 Bundesliga assists since his 2020 debut. The creative dynamo dominated German football metrics last term, emerging as the division's most effective dribbler and excelling in attacking midfield roles. His capture marks Liverpool's second major signing from Leverkusen this summer following Jeremie Frimpong's £29.5m arrival.

Tactical Integration

Analysts anticipate Wirtz will inject "class and poise" into Liverpool's setup according to Bundesliga expert Raphael Honigstein, who noted: "He's essentially the finished article – a superstar who thrives under pressure." Despite his youth, Wirtz demonstrates veteran leadership qualities; German journalist Constantin Eckner observed: "He commands respect through presence rather than volume."

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Manager Arne Slot faces selection puzzles regarding Wirtz's deployment, with the playmaker capable of operating as a traditional number 10, false nine, or left-sided attacker. His versatility could intensify competition for places among established midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

Strategic Significance

This investment – equivalent to half the world-record Neymar transfer – signals Liverpool's intent to build upon last season's Premier League triumph. Wirtz's creative spark and proven productivity offer a solution to the Reds' inconsistent central attacking output, potentially reviving the fluid offensive system that previously flourished with Roberto Firmino.