Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz continues after Bayer Leverkusen rejected their record-breaking £109million second bid for the German Player of the Year.

The Reds made their offer on Friday, just before the transfer window officially opened, but Leverkusen are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to £125m.

It remains unclear how Liverpool's offer for Wirtz has been structured, but it will likely include achievable and performance-based add-ons.



If Leverkusen's terms are met, Liverpool will set a new British transfer record, surpassing the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo at Brighton in 2023.

Bayer Leverkusen's view on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool transfer as second bid rejected	BREAKING: Liverpool close to agreeing Florian Wirtz transfer after tabling gigantic second bid	Liverpool close to agreeing Florian Wirtz transfer after tabling gigantic second bid

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Should a deal be finalised, Wirtz's arrival would make him the priciest player in Merseyside history, surpassing the £85m spent on Darwin Nunez from Benfica in 2022, which included £21m in add-ons, and the £75m transfer of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January 2018.

Both clubs are reportedly calm about the situation, with no signs of an imminent collapse in talks.

However, following Wirtz and his family's decision, negotiations are now centred around determining a price that would make the 22-year-old a record-breaking acquisition for Liverpool.

Despite interest from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, there is no indication the move for Wirtz will fall apart, with the player and his representatives having given their assurance last month.

Anfield bosses initially thought Wirtz would choose either Leverkusen or Bayern, but after an effective pitch by Liverpool to him and his parents, who serve as his agents, Manchester City admitted defeat.

Subsequently, the player's father, Hans Wirtz, reportedly informed Munich officials that Liverpool had clinched the deal.

During his introduction as Alonso's replacement, ex-Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag commented last week, "We have to build a new squad and a new team.
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