Liverpool have ‘perfect bargaining chip’ after new Florian Wirtz swap update
Liverpool are leading the race for Florian Wirtz’s signature.
Fenway Sports Group are set to back Arne Slot to transform his side as they attempt to defend the Premier League title.
The German is one of the hottest properties in world football and the Reds have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Bayer Leverkusen star, with just a fee to be worked out for a deal to be completed.
Liverpool could give Leverkusen a player to sweeten Wirtz deal
The Anfield outfit are in pole position to secure a deal for the gifted playmaker, ahead of the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid after Manchester City pulled out of the race.
A report from Florian Plettenberg (24 May) claims that there is discussion around a deal that would see the German outfit receive a player as well as a fee.
It states that the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions are looking for a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a striker and a replacement for the exit-bound 22-year-old.
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to leave this summer as he seeks regular first-team football after being a career back-up with the Reds and could make sense as a makeweight in the deal.
Kelleher to be used as Liverpool makeweight
The 25-year-old has been mostly restricted to cup appearances in his time on Merseyside and feels that he deserves to be starting week in, week out.
| Stats | Kelleher |
| Matches | 20 |
| Goals conceded | 20 |
| Clean sheets | 9 |
| Minutes played | 1,800 |
That is unlikely to happen under Arne Slot’s management, with Alisson retaining his place as number one and Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving this summer from Valencia after his pre-arranged transfer.
The Irishman has been linked with a £20million switch to West Ham and Leeds United but surely going to Leverkusen makes more sense, as they are much higher in the football pyramid with the potential to challenge at the top in Germany.
The deal makes sense for both parties, Kelleher would be able to showcase his abilities for one of the most promising teams in the world and the Reds would save some money on the Wirtz deal.
The L4 outfit have the perfect bargaining chip, especially given that the German side wants a new goalkeeper and giving their back-up keeper away would sweeten the deal for sure.