After impressing as part of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen squad, Florian Wirtz is a player in demand

The 22-year-old star was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title win during the 2023-24 season and earned the Bundesliga Player of the Season award thanks to his standout performances.

With manager Xabi Alonso now having departed Leverkusen—amid rumors of a return to Real Madrid, where he once played—the German club may be on the verge of losing another key figure from their title-winning squad. Florian Wirtz is now being heavily linked with a potential high-profile transfer to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Liverpool, thriving under new manager Arne Slot, are looking to bolster their squad as they prepare to defend their title, and Wirtz is seen as a potential game-changer for the team.

However, Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that the deal may come with a twist. According to him, Leverkusen are not only looking for a significant transfer fee but are also interested in receiving a Liverpool player as part of the exchange. He shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the German club wants to finalize negotiations swiftly, but the final outcome may hinge on Liverpool’s opening offer and which player they might be willing to include in the deal.

Here’s a paraphrased version of your text:

Bayer Leverkusen are currently on the lookout for reinforcements in several key positions, including a goalkeeper, central defender, striker, and a potential successor to Florian Wirtz.

Although Leverkusen ultimately surrendered the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich, Wirtz still enjoyed an outstanding individual season. He scored 16 goals and contributed 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions.

The team finished the season in second place, trailing Vincent Kompany’s Bayern side by 13 points.

Meanwhile, the Premier League campaign is nearing its conclusion, but Liverpool have already clinched the title. They sit 12 points clear at the summit going into their final match of the season against FA Cup champions Crystal Palace.

Wirtz, despite his youth, has already made 29 appearances for the German national team and is expected to play a crucial role at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In addition to Wirtz, Liverpool are reportedly interested in Bayer defender Jeremie Frimpong. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has stated that the Dutch full-back has already signed his contract, indicating a move may be imminent.