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It’s about spending smart.

While Manchester City and Chelsea are juggling their Club World Cup commitments in the United States, and Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are shifting managers, Liverpool are using this time to get a head start.

What makes this situation unique is the timing.

There’s no major international tournament this summer.

That gives Liverpool a clear runway to get their squad in place early.

And Liverpool aren’t standing still.

David Ornstein has confirmed that Florian Wirtz will undergo his Liverpool medical on Friday, ahead of completing his record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen.

The current plan is for Wirtz to arrive in the UK later this week for the tests, though that timeline is “subject to change.”

Liverpool have agreed to pay €136.3 million (£116m) for the 22-year-old midfielder, with €117.5m (£100m) due upfront and another €18.8m in add-ons.

This deal marks the biggest transfer in Liverpool’s history.

It also becomes Leverkusen’s most expensive sale and could set a new British record if the add-ons are met.

Leverkusen initially set a €150m asking price, but Liverpool refused to match it.

Wirtz’s contract at the Bundesliga club runs until June 2027.

The German international had also attracted interest from Bayern Munich.

However, “the Bavarians were informed last month that he favoured a move to Liverpool if he were to leave Leverkusen.”

Wirtz had another standout season in 2024-25, registering 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 matches as Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga.

The season before, he helped Leverkusen go unbeaten in the league and reach the Europa League final, scoring 18 goals and recording 20 assists.

He was named Bundesliga Player of the Season.

Liverpool had earlier triggered Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.6m release clause.

Both Frimpong and Wirtz leave a Leverkusen squad that also lost manager Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

Erik ten Hag has now taken over at the German club.

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