Liverpool granted permission to launch record €150m bid for Florian Wirtz after Bayer Leverkusen stand firm on valuation for Germany playmaker

Liverpool have already had two previous bids for Wirtz rejected by Leverkusen but could well strike an agreement with the Bundesliga side soon, according to BILD. They claim Fernando Carro, Leverkusen's CEO, is holding out for a fee between €140m and €150, and the good news for the Reds is that chief executive Michael Edwards has been given the green light by the club's owners to use the latter sum in order to get a deal over the line.

Wirtz is said to have already agreed personal terms on a move to Anfield, having enjoyed a spectacular 2023-24 campaign when he led Leverkusen to a historic domestic double. He has been linked with giants all around Europe but it now seems likely that the Reds will win the race and both clubs want a deal wrapped up as soon as possible.

Wirtz is also thought to be keen on taking the number 10 shirt at Liverpool, but that could be an issue as the current incumbent of that jersey is Alexis Mac Allister, who has been brilliant since swapping Brighton on the south coast for Merseyside.

Liverpool fans will get the chance to inspect their potential new signing firstly on Wednesday night, with Wirtz expected to feature in Germany's clash with Portugal for a place in the Nations League final. The club, meanwhile, will continue attempting to thrash out a deal with Leverkusen which could become the most expensive incoming Premier League transfer ever.