Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has revealed the club may have been close to pulling out of a deal for Florian Wirtz as he opened up on what has already been a record-breaking transfer window.

Wirtz is one of three new signings to have already arrived at Anfield this summer as Arne Slot and Richard Hughes have wasted little time in strengthening following the Premier League title triumph.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have been added either side of the German’s signing, with the latter’s arrival being confirmed this week.



What’s more, interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid spelled out the task Liverpool would have in convincing the 22-year-old on a move to Anfield.

Liverpool chairman makes Arne Slot admission and lifts lid on Jurgen Klopp replacement process	Liverpool chairman Tom Werner on Arne Slot, historic transfer spend and FSG's future Anfield plans	Florian Wirtz reveals Xabi Alonso reaction to Liverpool transfer after Jeremie Frimpong lesson

The Reds quickly turned things in their favor though, and after managing to talk Bayer Leverkusen down from its initial $176m valuation, Wirtz was officially unveiled as a Liverpool player last week.

It still required a club record fee of $136M, which could become a Premier League record should a further $22M be paid in add-ons, and had Leverkusen demanded any more, the deal may never have happened.

Opening up on Wirtz’s signing, Werner told the Liverpool Echo: "We (FSG) do not meddle in those kinds of decisions.

Liverpool broke its club transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz.

“There was a point in the process that we thought we had stretched to a generous proposal and if we thought Leverkusen wanted 20 percent more then we may not have been able to get there.

"We don't take anything for granted but [Wirtz] has been the greatest player in the Bundesliga last season but playing in the Premier League, it will be a different challenge and a new opportunity for him.

"Those signings (Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker) were certainly critical to our success but, you know, I am too experienced, you have to make your own decisions and trust the people that make them but they don't always work out right and we have a lot of competitors as well."



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With more than two months still to go in the summer window, there is scope for Liverpool to do even more business, although it is more likely we will see outgoings become the priority over the next few weeks.

Nevertheless, Werner knows how important it is for the Reds to freshen things up this summer, even after cruising to the Premier League title.

"I think you have to be relentless,” Werner added
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