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Florian Wirtz(Image: (Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images))

If Liverpool are serious about signing Florian Wirtz, they are going to have to do all in their power to topple Bayern Munich.

To that end, a new advantage has emerged in the race to sign the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

As things stand, the ECHO reported last week that Liverpool have presented their interest and are ready to pounce if this is reciprocated, and in what would be a major boost David Ornstein of The Athletic has claimed that Bayern Munich believe the player prefers the switch to Anfield over the Allianz Arena.



Reportedly worth £125m or possibly more, it is not only one of the most expensive battles of the summer but of all-time, so the Reds may need all the help they can get to ensure it is they who reach the agreement first.

Liverpool are already going to have settled one piece of negotiation with Leverkusen by the time Wirtz announces his intentions.

Wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has completed a medical ahead of moving to Anfield in a deal worth his £30m release clause.

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Wirtz would require a more complex set of club-to-club talks, as a fee would need to be negotiated, then as it turns out there is a third factor that could sweeten the deal.

According to Fussball Transfers, the Reds' Harvey Elliott is one player on the German club's radar looking ahead to the upcoming window.

If Wirtz were to leave, a new No.10 would be a big priority.

Elliott, 22, plays the position but hasn't been able to stamp down his authority in Arne Slot's plans this term, making 27 appearances but 21 of those have been as a substitute.

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Speculation has been rife about the young Englishman's future as a result, and this was addressed after opening the scoring against Brighton last time out.

"I think I've [shown what I can do] this season.

I've tried as hard as I could and whatever happens, happens.

"It's football at the end of the day and in my opinion, I just need to do what's best for my career," he admitted, hinting that his future could lie elsewhere.

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So in Wirtz, Slot would get the No.10 he desires to take Liverpool to the next stage of their progression and on the flipside, Leverkusen would receive a straight replacement.

Player-plus-cash deals are hardly uncommon in football, though neither are separate transfers between the same two clubs in order to help clubs comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) rules.

Should Leverkusen decide to firm up their reported interest in Elliott, it could work in Liverpool's favour.