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Liverpool's club-record move for Florian Wirtz has been as targeted as the pressing from the German that makes him unique in Europe.
talkSPORT understands that Bayer Leverkusen have rejected Liverpool's £109million bid for the German, but a deal remains close.
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Wirtz could follow in his manager Alonso's footsteps by heading to AnfieldCredit: Getty
Personal terms have already been agreed between both parties, with the 22-year-old only having eyes on a switch to Merseyside.
The Bundesliga club are believed to be still demanding £126m, which would smash the British transfer record.
Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard told talkSPORT: "He's right up there with anybody in the Bundesliga this season in terms of winning challenges.
So double figures, goals and assists in the league this season, double figures, goals and assists in the league last season, unbeaten league and cup double for the first time in German history last season.
"He was a huge part of that.
There's a lot to like."
Wirtz's signing would represent the first major statement from Liverpool's chief executive of football, Michael Edwards, since his return to the club in 2024.
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It was during his first tenure as sporting director that Edwards started tracking the playmaker when he was still in FC Koln's youth setup in 2020.
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Wirtz is one of the best young attacking players in the worldCredit: Getty
Although a deal didn't materialise, that groundwork ultimately proved invaluable when the race for his signature emerged this year.
Liverpool faced stern competition for one of the world's most feared attackers, not least from Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the versatile attacker, while Bayern were confident he would leave Leverkusen for the Allianz.
According to the Munich-based newspaper Süddeutscher Zeitung, Bayern's top brass were sent in to try to get the deal done.
However, during a 'secret meeting' at a Munich hotel, Wirtz was said to have been left unconvinced by Vincent Kompany's charm offensive, with his favoured No.10 role occupied by Jamal Musiala.
In contrast, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot apparently outlined a more coherent plan to build the future of his attack around him.
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Liverpool are eyeing a double swoop for Wirtz and FrimpongCredit: Getty
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Frimpong has become Liverpool's first official signing of the summerCredit: Getty
While Liverpool's owners, FSG, are known for their Moneyball-style, they have also been known to break the bank for genuine gamechangers.
Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and captain Virgil van Dijk are both proof of that, with Wirtz backed to represent the same level of value.
Liverpool's current holder of the No.10 shirt is Alexis Mac Allister, but they haven't had a player to fit the role since Philippe Coutinho.
Dominik Szoboszlai has been transitioning into a No.8, with Wirtz, who is also capable of operating on the left wing and as a false striker, the man earmarked to keep the iconic positive alive at Anfield.
Devin Ozek - who left his role as executive CEO assistant at Leverkusen earlier this year - told Sky Sports: "He's an unbelievably intelligent player, to understand spaces between the lines, creating chances, an advanced playmaker.
"But if we talk about Florian Wirtz, we have to give a lot of credit to [Leverkusen director of sport] Simon Rolfes, because he did a big job in signing him.
"And for me, it's one of the best signings in the Bundesliga history.
He's in the top category."
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Wirtz made his Bundesliga debut in May 2020, two weeks after his 17th birthdayCredit: Getty
It's a big claim, but one that the stats back up.
Wirtz has made 196 senior appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 57 times and setting up a further 65, which is more than a goal contribution per two matches.
What makes these statistics even more impressive is that in 2022, he was ruled out for nearly a year through a devastating injury.
However, Wirtz hasn't shown any lingering effects of the issue that has ruined the careers of many elite stars.
Since coming back from that injury, he's helped Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic German double in the 2023/24 season.
While Leverkusen failed to defend either title this year, Wirtz has still retained his title as the Bundesliga player of the year.
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Wirtz is regarded as one of the top playmakers in world football
Dribbles completedFlorian Wirtz - 83Jamie Gittens -- 77Jamal Musiala - 72Michael Olise - 72
Across Europe’s ‘big four’ leagues (Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga in Spain and Italy’s Serie A) this season, only Man City’s Jeremy Doku (32.7) has attempted more passes within the attacking third than his 32.4 per 90 minutes.
“What I do is mostly very spontaneous because it appears to be the best solution in that situation,” Wirtz told Werkself Magazin.
“Whatever he does, I am really close to Flo, and I will be happy for him.”
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Wirtz is set to become the face of Slot's LiverpoolCredit: Getty
"As a player, he's brilliant," said Bayer Leverkusen's Nathan Tella during an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.
"You know, I've worked with him for the last two years, and it's like each day I could just see this guy is unbelievable.
Read More on talkSPORT
"It's no surprise he has a lot of interest in him because he's a brilliant player, but we trust that the club will make the right decision, he'll make the right decision.
"And as a friend, I hope he's also happy with whatever decision he makes, but we will support him regardless."
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