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Florian Wirtz is close to joining Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan believes Florian Wirtz is not “world-class” yet, as the latter looks set to join Liverpool in a record transfer.

The Reds are ready to break the bank for the Bayer Leverkusen sensation this summer, but they've not matched their eye-watering £126million (€150m) price tag as of yet.

The Liverpool Echo understands that Liverpool will pay £100m guaranteed to sign Wirtz as they look to close a deal, meaning they are willing to break the Premier League’s transfer record.



Liverpool are holding firm in their stance not to meet the £126m asking price.

Regardless of how close the deal is to completion, the 22-year-old has his heart set on moving to Anfield after turning down approaches from Manchester City and Bayern Munich last month.

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Wirtz’s hefty price tag may raise some eyebrows, however, particularly given that his Germany team-mate Gundogan recently stated that he isn't a world-class player just yet.

Gundogan looks set to miss out on being club team-mates with Wirtz too, who would have filled the shoes of Kevin De Bruyne following the Belgian legend’s exit from the Etihad.

Having played alongside Wirtz and Bayern’s talented Jamal Musiala for Germany, Gundogan holds both in high regard but believes that to achieve world-class status, they must first join a team with the pedigree to win the Champions League – something Wirtz hopes to accomplish with Liverpool.

Gundogan shared his thoughts earlier in the year, saying: "They're very close to world-class.

Jamal has done a bit more than Florian because he played a little more at that high level.

Man City's Ilkay Gundogan believes Wirtz needs to play in a team challenging for the Champions League before being deemed world class(Image: Getty Images)

"When you want to be on top and admired as the world's best one day, it's necessary to win the Champions League and Jamal has already played a few years in the Champions League but hasn't won it yet.

"For Flo, it is the first season with Champions League with Leverkusen.

I played with them for the last two years in the national team and both of them have everything and they prove it with their teams and the national team.

"They are both great guys and great characters so they will be there at one point."

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Initially, Bayern were the favourites to land Wirtz but Liverpool stole a march on the Bundesliga champions, while City dropped out of the race for the playmaker due to financial reasons.

Liverpool have hit the ground running with transfers this summer, with sporting director Richard Hughes securing the services of Jeremie Frimpong and talented young goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.
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