The Bundesliga team’s playmaker Florian Wirtz arrived in the UK on Thursday night to finalize his £100 million transfer to the Premier League winners, while Bayer Leverkusen is in advanced talks with Liverpool to sign defender Jarell Quansah.
It is believed that an agreement is nearing for Quansah to relocate to the BayArenA; however, if it is finalized, the deal would be distinct from the Wirtz transfer.
Leverkusen has never before paid a transfer fee even close to the £40 million Liverpool has been seeking for Quansah. The deal’s final numbers are still up in the air.
Last October, Quansah, who has recently been considered for a senior England cap, agreed to a new five-year deal with Liverpool.
Wirtz, a playmaker for Leverkusen, is scheduled to arrive on Merseyside on Thursday in order to complete his high-profile move to Liverpool. On Thursday night, he arrived in the United Kingdom.
On Friday, the 22-year-old Germany international is scheduled to have a medical examination.
While Leverkusen and Liverpool finalize a deal that could fetch a British record of £116.5 million, Wirtz has been on his postseason vacation.
The player is expected to sign a five-year contract with a weekly minimum salary of £195,000, with bonuses potentially increasing that amount to £245,000.
Sky Sports News is aware that Wirtz only wanted to join Liverpool during this window and not for the money.
One of the main reasons the playmaker decided to move to Anfield is reportedly Liverpool head coach Arne Slot’s tactical plan for him.
Both parties may benefit from Quansah’s desire to “take the next step” in his career.
Reds supporters will undoubtedly have conflicting emotions after learning that Bayer Leverkusen is in negotiations to sign Quansah.
Following a six-month loan stint at League One Bristol Rovers in the second half of the 2022–2023 season, Quansah has flourished.
The following season, the 22-year-old made his debut under former manager Jurgen Klopp. He made 33 appearances across all competitions, including 16 in the Premier League, and was instrumental in helping Liverpool contend on all four fronts throughout the season.
Before being left off of Gareth Southgate’s expanded Euro 2024 squad, the England U21 international was on the Wembley field when the Reds defeated Chelsea to win the Carabao Cup that season.
Although the Dutchman actually selected the Warrington-born player for the top-flight opener against Ipswich Town, the new Reds head coach preferred to use Ibrahima Konate as Virgil van Dijk’s center-back partner instead, meaning the defender only played in 25 games overall, 13 of which were in the league, as Slot’s team won the title last season.
Only last October did Quansah sign a new five-year contract with the Reds, but he recently hinted that in order to advance in his career, he might have to leave Anfield.
While representing England at the European U21 championship, he stated, “I’m in a very good position to take the next step and it just comes with working hard and staying focused on what I can control.”
And since Liverpool has already signed Jeremie Frimpong and is expected to make significant purchases during the summer transfer window, owners Fenway Sports Group may now need to balance the books.