Florian Wirtz’s name had been on the lips of every Liverpool fan for weeks.

The German playmaker was strongly linked to both Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Both clubs were confident.

It looked like Bayern would get him.

Florian Wirtz's jersey number at Liverpool options as transfer fee agreed	Florian Wirtz transfer agreed with Liverpool to smash record for Bayer Leverkusen man	Florian Wirtz DEAL AGREED – Liverpool set for British record transfer

City had already held talks.

And for many Liverpool supporters, it felt like a familiar story — a top player, a big fee, and two wealthier clubs circling.

But this time felt different.

Arne Slot was involved.

Liverpool had history with the Wirtz family.

There were whispers that talks were progressing.

Photos emerged of Wirtz’s family in the north west.

And quietly, Florian Wirtz had already made up his mind.

According to Lewis Steele of The Daily Mail, Florian Wirtz had been telling people privately that a move to Liverpool was done.

“Wirtz, in fact, had been telling people that a deal was complete all week.

It was not, as the two clubs were thrashing out the finer details, but the player had been telling his confidantes that his move to Liverpool was done and dusted.”

It wasn’t official yet, as the two clubs were still finalising the fee.

But the midfielder had already told his inner circle that he was joining the Reds.

Lewis Steele from Mail Sport even approached him in Munich and asked if he was “excited for Liverpool.”

Wirtz simply nodded.

It may have looked like a polite gesture.

But with everything going on, it said a lot.

The player’s confidence came before the final agreement between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.

That deal is now complete — £100m up front and £16m in add-ons.

Wirtz had already met with both Pep Guardiola and Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.

But it was Arne Slot who convinced him — and his father-agent Hans-Joachim — that Liverpool was the right step.

Now, he becomes the club’s first marquee signing in years.

And he did it not with a dramatic announcement, but a quiet nod and word to friends: it was Liverpool all along.

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