Liverpool’s Move For Wirtz Could Hand Arsenal £70m Blow

Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz could deal a significant blow to Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer. Despite earlier reports suggesting the Reds were in ‘watch and wait’ mode regarding a move for Wirtz, with Bayern Munich initially viewed as the frontrunners, the ECHO has since confirmed that Liverpool have now approached Leverkusen to confirm their desire to sign the player.

While no agreement has yet been reached with Leverkusen, and the fee required will be substantial, all indications point towards Liverpool hopefully getting their man.

For Bayern, it represents a major setback in their transfer plans, as the Bundesliga champions have long coveted one of Germany’s brightest young talents. It remains to be seen where they will now turn their attention, but with a number of high-profile attacking options on the market, they will need to act decisively – and potentially spend big – in order to save face.

In recent weeks, Bayern Munich have been linked with the likes of Rafael Leao and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, but Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo arguably represent the most high-profile attacking options on the market this summer.

Both Williams and Rodrygo have been linked with Arsenal, who appear increasingly likely to strengthen their forward line ahead of next season. Benjamin Sesko is rumoured to be the primary striker target at the Emirates Stadium, but interest in Rodrygo and Williams is reportedly still strong, with the pair expected to be valued at approximately £70 million and £49 million respectively.

Should Bayern enter the race for either player this summer, it would undoubtedly intensify the competition, with the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona already among the clubs monitoring the situation. As is often the case in the transfer market, a single move can trigger a domino effect, with several deals potentially falling into place as a result.

For Liverpool, signing Wirtz would represent a major coup, particularly with his Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong also reportedly poised to join. Making a statement in the transfer market this summer would ensure Arne Slot’s side are equipped to compete on all fronts, and potentially defend their Premier League title next season.

Liverpoolecho.co.uk