Liverpool have sealed the signing of Germany star Florian Wirtz in a club record deal worth an initial £100million, with a further £16m possible in add ons – after Kop boss Arne Slot compelled the player to head to Anfield
Florian Wirtz has revealed how Arne Slot turned on the charm to persuade him to make Liverpool his new home. The Germany star has completed a club record move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool have sealed a deal to pay an initial £100million, with £16m in performance-related add-ons. It is understood Liverpool will be happy to pay these “aspirational bonuses” as it will mean they have enjoyed considerable success at elite level.
If he does indeed hit all those bonuses, it will make Wirtz the most expensive player in British history, surpassing the £115m that Chelsea paid Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Wirtz, 22, has signed a five-year deal at Anfield – worth £50million. The Reds stepped up as Bayern Munich faltered, their 18-month pursuit coming unstuck as they played games in the German media with regards to what they would be prepared to pay Leverkusen, before Wirtz was left underwhelmed by a final meeting with head coach Vincent Kompany.
In stark contrast both he and his family were blown away by Liverpool’s pitch and particularly the first meeting with Dutch boss Slot.
READ MORE: Liverpool transfers: Timeline set for next TWO moves after completing Florian Wirtz dealREAD MORE: Florian Wirtz: Why I chose record-breaking Liverpool transfer and rejected Bayern Munich
“The conversations were always really good,” said Wirtz. “I can remember the first time [we met] he already showed me some scenes and how he wants to play, how I could fit in the team.
“He was just telling me I’m a player he really wants to have in his team and I can bring the team a step forward, and I could just imagine it would be good to be in the team and to make it better. I have to make my performances every week but I’m here for this.”
Wirtz admits he wanted to make a major step up when moving clubs this summer, and believes he has done just that by moving to Merseyside.
“I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world,” adds Wirtz. “In my opinion, Liverpool is one of them.
“I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good.
“Every time I spoke to one of the [people from] the club, I felt like ‘this is the place I want to be. And so in the end, I was really 100 percent convinced I want to join Liverpool. And it was the best choice.”
Wirtz has also been learning English ahead of his move – having been taught at Leverkusen by another Liverpool new boy, Jeremie Frimpong.
“He was my neighbour in the changing room, he sat directly next to me and I had to speak English with him,” Wirtz reveals. “After I finished my school, I didn’t really speak good English but he was teaching me a lot and making me speak in more English and better English.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
