Manchester United have stunned the football world by agreeing a Premier League record-breaking £120 million deal to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, outpacing rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
The 21-year-old German star, widely regarded as one of the world’s top playmakers, has given the green light to join Old Trafford, with his medical booked for the morning of June 27, 2025. The transfer, confirmed by sources close to the club, marks United’s boldest move yet under Ruben Amorim, eclipsing their previous £110 million signing of Viktor Gyökeres earlier this week.
Wirtz, who notched 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances for Leverkusen last season, brings unparalleled creativity, with 104 key passes and 87 dribbles in the Bundesliga. His versatility as a No. 10 or winger aligns perfectly with Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, promising to elevate United’s attack alongside Gyökeres and Matheus Cunha.
The £120 million fee, which includes add-ons, surpasses Liverpool’s £116 million for Wirtz earlier this summer—a deal that fell through due to Leverkusen’s valuation disputes. United’s swift move, backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, capitalized on Liverpool’s hesitation and Chelsea’s focus on other targets like Noni Madueke.
The medical, scheduled at United’s Carrington training ground, is a formality, with Wirtz reportedly “thrilled” to join a club he views as “an institution,” echoing sentiments from a 2019 interview where he praised United’s history. The deal sees Wirtz take the No. 10 shirt, recently vacated by Marcus Rashford’s loan to Aston Villa.
Fans are ecstatic, with one posting on social media, “Wirtz to United? This is the statement signing we needed!” However, some question the financial wisdom, given United’s 15th-place finish last season and lack of Champions League football, with a supporter noting, “£120m is wild—hope Amorim makes it work.”
United’s transfer strategy, bolstered by sales of Alejandro Garnacho (£50m to Napoli) and Jadon Sancho, has freed up funds under Profit and Sustainability Rules, as noted by finance expert Kieran Maguire.
The signing outmaneuvers Chelsea, who targeted Wirtz as a Cole Palmer partner, and Liverpool, who shifted focus to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi. As United prepare for the 2025/26 season, Wirtz’s arrival signals their intent to reclaim Premier League glory, though the pressure is on to justify the record-shattering fee.
