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Liverpool supporters hoping for a big week in the transfer market have been left rather disappointed over recent days.
The Reds began the window like a house on fire, securing the signing of right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Former teammate Florian Wirtz looked set to join imminently as Liverpool raided the Bundesliga side for new additions.
However, Wirtz is expected to cost a British record transfer fee and, consequently, the deal has begun to drag on a little.
For the moment, the feeling still remains that Liverpool will get their man and secure one of the most exciting talents in European football.
According to the German press, though, there is still one thing that could happen to make Liverpool end negotiations over Wirtz.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Wirtz received some poor reviews for his performance in Germany’s 2-1 loss against Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semi-final on Wednesday.
With all eyes on the 22-year-old, he did manage to score, but it was not enough as Julian Nagelsmann’s team suffered defeat on home soil.
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As a result of the loss, Germany will now play France in a third-place play-off on Sunday.
And according to BILD, Liverpool are likely to be watching very closely.
They suggest that if Wirtz were to play, and get injured, in what is effectively a dead rubber, it could be ‘fatal’ to his Liverpool move.
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If the worst were to happen and Wirtz did pick up a problem, it’s claimed that the Reds could look to renegotiate for a lower fee or even pull out altogether.
The example of Leroy Sane is given from 2019, when the then Manchester City man sustained a serious injury in the Community Shield – ironically against Liverpool – and saw his transfer to Bayern Munich slashed by 100 million Euros.
Although they do add some jeopardy into this massive deal crossing the line, BILD also offer a revised timeline for when things could be completed.
Providing Wirtz avoids injury against France, they claim that he could become a Liverpool player at the beginning of next week.
Liverpool are clearly still in need of reaching a financial agreement with Leverkusen, but the only thing stopping this deal from happening now appears to be an injury issue.
From that point of view, and given the kind of money at stake for Wirtz’s team, it would surely be in everyone’s best interest if Nagelsmann leaves him out on Sunday.
If he does not, then Liverpool fans should prepare for some nerves to start jangling.
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