According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool tabled a substantial offer of £100 million plus £13 million in add-ons for Wirtz. However, Bayer Leverkusen rejected the bid, sticking firmly to their valuation of £126 million.
“Liverpool were really pushing for Wirtz,” Romano confirmed. “But Leverkusen’s stance has been clear: no discount, no compromise — only £150 million will do.”
The move would have smashed the British transfer record — currently held by Moisés Caicedo’s £115 million move to Chelsea —
but Liverpool have deemed the valuation unrealistic. Moreover, FC Köln’s claim for 5% of the transfer fee due to FIFA’s training compensation rules has further complicated negotiations.
Wirtz, who made his desire to join the Premier League champions known, will now have to wait as Liverpool pivot to other targets. One of them is Jack Grealish, who has fallen out of favor at Manchester City after a frustrating
Despite being one of the stars in City’s treble-winning campaign two years ago,
Grealish made only 16 starts this past season and was left out of City’s final Premier League match and the FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace. In both cases, Pep Guardiola opted for youth, even subbing on 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri instead of the £100 million Englishman.
With City preparing to offload Grealish ahead of the Club World Cup in June – and possibly open to a loan or permanent deal – Liverpool see this as an opportunity to reinforce their midfield and attacking versatility.
Former teammate Shay Given believes
Grealish still has what it takes to thrive at the highest level:
“Jack is a generational talent,” Given told
Metro. “He could easily start for any club in England – Liverpool or Chelsea included.
He just needs the right role and a run of games in a central position.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot reportedly views Grealish as a creative force who can help reshape Liverpool’s attack, especially as the club prepares for life without Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, both of whom are linked with moves away.
With Manchester City open to negotiations and Liverpool determined to make a statement signing this summer, Jack Grealish could soon be wearing red – not sky blue – at Anfield.
