Liverpool Launch Record Bid for Florian Wirtz

Liverpool have submitted a record £113 million bid for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, though it falls short of Leverkusen's £126 million valuation, with negotiations ongoing and Wirtz eager to join. The club is close to finalizing a deal for Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and retains interest in teammate Illia Zabarnyi, despite Bournemouth's reluctance to sell both. Liverpool are also monitoring Atalanta's Ederson and Lyon's Rayan Cherki, with Cherki reportedly attracting interest from Manchester City as well. Manager Arne Slot is prioritizing reinforcements in midfield and defense to support Liverpool's Premier League title defense and Champions League campaign. The club's aggressive pursuit of multiple high-profile targets highlights a significant rebuilding initiative under Slot's leadership. Cologne, Wirtz's former club, could benefit from the transfer via FIFA training compensation.