Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Image Credits: Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano sparked a frenzy on Tuesday evening by announcing Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, but prominent English journalists have quickly disputed the claim, suggesting the record-breaking deal remains incomplete despite significant progress.

Taking to X late on Tuesday night, the Italian reporter said:

“Liverpool verbally agree deal in principle with Bayer Leverkusen for package reaching €150m add-ons included.”

“Player side already agreed two weeks ago with move now imminent.”

“Wirtz set for medical and contract signing.”

The reported €150 million (£126 million) package would shatter Liverpool’s transfer record and establish a new British football benchmark, surpassing Chelsea’s £115 million acquisition of Moises Caicedo.

However, within hours of Romano’s proclamation, respected English journalists moved to temper expectations.

David Ornstein of The Athletic contradicted Romano’s assessment by stating there was “no agreement yet” between the clubs.

Despite this, Ornstein acknowledged that Liverpool and Leverkusen were in the “final stages” of negotiations and expressed confidence a deal would eventually be reached.

The transfer reporter revealed:

“Negotiations between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen over a deal taking Florian Wirtz to Anfield are in the final stages, with the clubs speaking daily as they try to reach an agreement.”

“A medical has also yet to be arranged?

The first part of this summer’s transfer window, created for the Club World Cup, has now closed and will not reopen until June 16, giving time for both clubs to agree the finer details of this agreement.”

The Athletic’s reporting suggests the primary obstacle lies not in the overall valuation but in the specifics of the deal structure.

Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes and Leverkusen’s Simon Rolfes are reportedly focusing their discussions on “payment conditions and any potential add-ons”.

Multiple reports confirm that Liverpool are prepared to pay £100 million guaranteed for Wirtz, with the remaining negotiations centered on the add-on structure.

These additional payments could be triggered by various achievements including Champions League appearances, Premier League victories, or even individual accolades such as the Ballon d’Or .

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone
For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.