Liverpool have officially completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz for a club-record £116 million, marking a seismic moment in the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old German sensation, widely regarded as one of the world’s brightest talents, has penned a six-year contract with the Reds, tying him to Anfield until 2031. Announced on June 24, 2025, the deal underscores Liverpool’s ambition under Arne Slot to dominate both domestically and in Europe.
Wirtz’s arrival is a statement of intent. Since his Leverkusen debut at age 17 in 2020, he has dazzled with his vision, dribbling, and goal-scoring prowess. Last season, he recorded 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances, helping Leverkusen secure a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double while reaching the Europa League final. His 104 key passes, 87 dribbles, and 2,541 passes into the final third in the Bundesliga alone highlight his creative dominance. Internationally, Wirtz has 24 caps for Germany, scoring four goals, including a strike at Euro 2024.
Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1 system, which thrives on fluidity and attacking output, is tailor-made for Wirtz, who is expected to slot into the No. 10 role. His versatility to play on the wings or as a deeper playmaker adds tactical flexibility. Wirtz’s synergy with recent signings like Milos Kerkez (£40m from Bournemouth) and Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m from Leverkusen), combined with his prior chemistry with Frimpong, promises to elevate Liverpool’s attack alongside stars like Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The £116 million fee smashes Liverpool’s previous transfer record (£85m for Darwin Núñez) and makes Wirtz the most expensive German player ever, surpassing Kai Havertz’s £71 million move to Chelsea. Leverkusen, initially reluctant to sell their star, accepted the bid after Wirtz expressed his desire to join Liverpool, citing their storied history and Slot’s attacking philosophy. The deal includes add-ons tied to performance milestones, such as Premier League and Champions League success.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Wirtz outmaneuvered Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, with sporting director Richard Hughes and Slot’s personal outreach proving decisive. Fans on X are ecstatic, hailing Wirtz as a “generational talent”” capable of defining an era. With Liverpool’s’ spending now exceeding £200m this summer, the Reds are firmly positioned as title contenders, but the pressure is on Wirtz to justify his price tag and deliver silverware.
