Florian Wirtz hits back at what’s been said about impending Liverpool transfer
Florian Wirtz has seemingly confirmed his transfer to Liverpool in a post made to his social media.
The Reds are in advanced negotiations for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, with completion of the deal reportedly imminent.
The transfer fee for Wirtz will be a club record for Liverpool and could ultimately total around £125million.
The German will be the second player signed for Arne Slot’s side from Leverkusen this summer, after a deal for Jeremie Frimpong was announced last week.
Wirtz rubbishes shirt number claim
Wirtz has enjoyed a superb two years for Bayer Leverkusen, amassing an impressive 23 league goals and assists during the 2024-25 campaign as they looked to defend the Bundesliga title.
The midfielder, who is often positioned directly behind the striker, also enjoyed a productive Euro 2024, scoring both in the tournament’s opener and in Germany’s quarter-final against eventual winners Spain.
Wirtz wears the number 10 for Leverkusen, and according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, the midfielder would like to continue the tradition at Liverpool by taking the shirt number currently worn by Alexis Mac Allister.
However, Wirtz took to Instagram on Tuesday (3 June) to rubbish the claim.
The 22-year-old wrote: “Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don’t believe everything what’s written.”
The German also added a clown emoji, seemingly referring to Plettenberg.
In rubbishing the report as false, Wirtz has appeared to all but confirm his transfer to the Premier League champions.
The midfielder’s post suggests the move has advanced to a stage in which the player would be given a choice of his new shirt number, with the 10, clearly, not his pick.
Wirtz could reunite with former shirt number
With the number 10 not available to Wirtz, his choices for a Liverpool number are limited.
Attacking midfielders are often known to don the numbers eight, 10 or 11, but all three are occupied by key figures.
The 12 is available, although it carries the feel more of a marauding full-back, rather than a tricky midfielder.
Instead, Wirtz may choose to return to an old faithful in the number 27.
The German wore 27 when he made his breakthrough at Leverkusen, and kept it until 2023, when he took the number 10.
It’s free at Liverpool after being relinquished by Darwin Nunez in 2023, which may be something, in itself, to think about for Wirtz.