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The fates of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen have been tied early in the summer transfer window(Image: Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, with the knock-on affect already having played out for Liverpool.

Negotiations remain ongoing over the club-record signing of Florian Wirtz, while Caoimhin Kelleher has completed his departure from the club.

Like Liverpool, the Bundesliga side are keen to get their business done early this summer so that they can smoothly transition out of the Xabi Alonso era.



Dutch goalkeeper Flekken, 30, arrives from Brentford in a €10m (£8.4m) deal, and the merry-go-round is at full swing with the Reds wrapping up one more transfer of their own.

As the ECHO reported, goalkeeper Kelleher has completed an £18m switch to the Bees, who acted quickly to ensure they had a replacement lined up for their departing 31-year-old.

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The Republic of Ireland international was reaching the final 12 months of his Anfield contract and made no secret about the fact he wishes to be a first-choice goalkeeper.

Thus, Leverkusen helped pave the way for all concerned to get what they desire with the announcement of theirs and Liverpool's latest deals on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga outfit know that any funds gathered will be helpful in rebuilding for the new season after finishing 13 points behind Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

They were helped by the fact Jeremie Frimpong had a £29.5m release clause, meaning Liverpool could sign the player with relative ease.

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But the two clubs still remain locked together in talks over the immediate future of talented midfielder Wirtz.

Leverkusen most recently rejected the Reds' latest offer of €130m (£109m) in the hope of holding out for their €150m (£125m) asking price.

Having rejected Bayern and Manchester City's advances, it is the 22-year-old's clear preference to bring his career to the Premier League, specifically with Liverpool, and the clubs remain locked in negotiations.

He is the number one priority at present, despite word emerging of due diligence being done on other targets.

As had been the initial expectation that Wirtz would elect to stay in Germany, a meeting between Arne Slot and Lyon's Rayan Cherki had already been scheduled.

The arrangement was honoured before negotiations with Leverkusen for their No.10.

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