Liverpool agree potential British record fee with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz
Andy Hunter
Liverpool have agreed a fee with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz. The German will join the Premier League champions in an £100m deal plus £16m in potential add-ons that would make Wirtz the most expensive British transfer of all time, eclipsing Chelsea’s £115m purchase of Moises Caicedo.
He will undergo a medical and finalise the transfer in the coming days. Personal terms have already been agreed.
Key events
Chris Boyle reminisces: “When I was nine we stayed at the same resort in Portugal as legendary striker John Aldridge. As a Liverpool-mad kid, this was incredible, even more so as John and his family were very down to earth and friendly. I have happy memories of him and my Dad ‘singing’ La Bamba on karaoke. To add to the football-Stella Street vibe, Lee Dixon was also there (from memory he spent the time chasing after his small children and looking harassed) and we bumped into Joe Jordan at a water park. My days of holidaying alongside top flight footballers are highly unlikely to return (and much less appealing in my 40s tbf).”
Shaun Tooze gets in touch: “Met John Barnes in the queue at Qatar airport getting on the plane back to the UK (I was just connecting from Thailand) and we had a good old chat about the 1987/88 season – Barnes was on fire that season and I’d been lucky enough to see him play a handful of times (the 4-0 v QPR being the stand out.)
“Anyway, he was really normal, just a humble guy and you could see the glow as he recalled ‘They were happy days’ and other bits.
“One thing that sticks out is that none of the flight crew knew who he was as I protested ‘ That’s John Barnes…John Barnes!’ after he’d passed them, and I just remember feeling deflated that none of them who he was.
“But I didn’t bother him again because I didn’t want to get all ‘fanboy’ and in his face. (He was in economy by the way).
“Anyway. John Barnes. Nice guy.”
Fraser Mann emails: “On the topic of meeting footballers on holiday, me and my family shared a lift in a Spanish airport with Pat Jennings some time in the mid 80s. My mum had always had a bit of crush on him and was all over the shop to be stood so near to him. I said, ‘hello Mr Jennings, are you on holiday?’ and he chuckled and said, ‘I hope so, otherwise I’m a bit far from home’. At which point, we all laughed very loudly as if it was the funniest thing anyone has said EVER. Cue awkward silence until the lift door opened and Pat left saying, ‘Be nice to your mum, son.’
“A strange encounter with the big handed Irish legend I’ll think you’ll agree. My mum still can’t really talk about it.”
And rightly so.
This was published while I as on holiday. I hunted down some of the very few UK-based Chelsea and Man City fans heading over for the Club World Cup and asked “why?”.
In the meantime … Caio Carrieri has been chatting the Palmeiras president Leila Pereira.
“People think women are the weaker sex, and we’re not. I fight back. If they hit me, I hit back – but much harder. The way I hit back is by continuing to work and by showcasing Palmeiras’s work.”
Thank you Yara. Go enjoy the sunshine. Speaking of which … I was on holiday last week and the former Nottingham Forest and Manchester City manager Frank Clark was at the same hotel. I considered confronting him to ask why he played striker Craig Russell at left-back during his Maine Road days. Then I remember it was 30 years ago and Clark is now in his 80s. This, however, leads to the question … when have you met a footballer on holiday?
That is all from me today. Will Unwin is on deck to take you through the afternoon’s stories. Happy Friday!
Bayer Leverkusen are expected to make an offer for Manchester City’s James McAtee when the transfer window reopens according to multiple reports.
The 22-year-old is currently captaining the England U21s in Slovakia and any move to Germany cannot progress until after the U21s Euros and Club World Cup.
City expect a fee of at least £25m plus add-ons for McAtee. The player is understood to be keen to join Leverkusen if the clubs can come to an agreement.
Cardiff close to appointing Leicester assistant as new head coach
Ben Fisher
Cardiff City are inching towards the appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy as their manager, as a protracted process heads towards the end game. The 46-year-old was appointed as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s assistant by Leicester last December but Cardiff are expected to trigger his release.
Van Nistelrooy remains in the dark over his own future after relegation from the Premier League and the expectation remains that the Dutchman will leave this summer. Cardiff have flip-flopped over the decision after holding advanced talks with Des Buckingham, who is out of work after leaving Oxford, before landing on Barry-Murphy, whose only job as a No 1 was at Rochdale.
Aaron Ramsey also held discussions about taking the job on a permanent basis but the 34-year-old has agreed to prolong his playing career in Mexico with Pumas with a view of playing at the 2026 World Cup.
The postbag is here with some of your thoughts on the CWC, Wirtz and more.
Rick on Liverpool’s newest acquisition:
For what it’s Wirtz: it is truly wonderful that Liverpool have splashed the cash for Florian Wirtz as his fabulous talent will light up the PL next season and also make the Reds far more enjoyable to watch with real midfield creativity injected into the more effort based approach that has been the mainstay of the Klopp years and Slot’s first season.
Makes a change to see the best player in the Bundesliga go to England rather than Munich or Madrid.
John on heatwave solutions:
As an Aussie who lives in the cooler City of Melbourne, I can attest to the temperature gauge getting it massively wrong from time to time.
Playing cricket in summertime in Australia is a mixed bag, but when you are playing in the middle of summer the heat doesn’t miss you.
The air temperature said 35C on this hot day, but in the middle it felt like 42C. Needless to say standing around in white isn’t as near taxing as running full tilt For 100 minutes as Footballers do. Short drinks break will be handy but not a solution. Maybe 7 subs per game?
And Rogorn on comparing the PL to Europe:
The wording of this bit of news reminds me of what I used to call the Matt Derbyshire Dilemma a few years ago, which was: would you rather play for Blackburn Rovers or Olympiacos? (That’s how the club spells it now in Latin alphabet, by the way) I don’t mean the league-winning 1995 Rovers or the current version down in the second tier, but the Rovers of around 2006, when they were middle of the Premier League table. (A few years ago, did I say? Blimey, it’s 20 years ago!) I used the question to spark a debate whether English players would have a more interesting career staying in a 9th to 12th-placed club in England season after season or venturing into “lesser” (all due respect) continental sides, with a big chance of a league trophy and Champions League football. Derbyshire was the perfect example of that at a time when top English players abroad were a rarity. Of course, for a Greek player like Kostoulas the version of the MDD is different.
Gabriel Magalhães has described the Arsenal transfer target Rodrygo as a “phenomenon” and admitted he would like to see him join the north London club.
The Real Madrid winger, who plays with Gabriel for Brazil, is of interest to Arsenal this summer as they look to strengthen their attack after falling short in the Premier League race this season.
According to reports Rodrygo is questioning his future at Real Madrid amid fierce competition for places. The Brazilian is competing for places in the starting XI with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Asked if he knows whether Rodrygo is coming to Arsenal, Gabriel told the Podpah podcast in Brazil: “I don’t know. I would like it but who knows? Rodrygo for me is a phenomenon. People are mentioning his name a lot. If it was up to me, of course. As I said, he is a phenomenon.”
David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours. The former England captain, a winner of league titles in four countries and of 115 national team caps, has been awarded the honour for services to sport and to charity.
Sir David also won the Champions League as part of Manchester United’s treble-winning team in 1999, and since retiring as a player has become a founder and co-owner of American team Inter Miami.
He has worked as an ambassador for the worldwide charity UNICEF since 2005 and since last year has been an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.
Beckham said: “Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour. To have played for and captained my country was the greatest privilege of my career and literally a boyhood dream come true.
“Off the pitch I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. I’m so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I’m grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment.
“It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I’m immensely proud and it’s such an emotional moment for me to share with my family.”
Rachel Daly, one of the stars of the England women’s team which won the European Championship on home soil in 2022, has been made an MBE. The Harrogate-born star, 33, plays for Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League but retired from international football last year.
Daly said: “I am greatly honoured to receive an MBE. This award is not just for me, but for everyone who has supported me and worked alongside me. It’s a very proud moment for me and my family.”
Frank Rothwell, the owner of Oldham who secured their return to the EFL earlier this month, has become an OBE for services to dementia research. PA Media
Chelsea’s first match at the Club World Cup is against Los Angeles FC where they will meet a familiar foe in Hugo Lloris.
The former Tottenham goalkeeper took some time to settle in but is now one of the MLS’s best. Lloris played a pivotal role in getting LAFC to the tournament by making a big save late in extra time during the play-in match against Club América, one of Mexico’s perennial powers.
The score was tied 1-1 in the 109th minute when Club América’s Javairô Dilrosun (who, interestingly, has just signed with LAFC ahead of the Club World Cup) fired a blistering shot from eight yards out after a give-and-go with Diego Valdes. But Lloris reacted quickly and pivoted to his left to deflect the ball away from the near post. Six minutes later, Denis Bouanga scored to give LAFC a 2-1 victory.
Joseph D’Hippolito has the lowdown from Lloris and his teammates on his time in LA.
Brighton have signed the teenage forward Charalampos Kostoulas, who gave up a Champions League season with Olympiakos to play in the Premier League.
The 18-year-old Kostoulas signed a five-year contract, Brighton said, with the transfer fee reportedly set at an initial €35m.
“It is a dream for everybody to come here and play football,” the Greece Under-21 striker said. He scored seven goals in 22 games in the Greek league as Olympiakos won a record-extending 48th title and completed a trophy double in the domestic cup.
Olympiakos was elevated directly into the lucrative Champions League opening phase — because title-holder Paris Saint-Germain already secured a place by winning the French league — and will play eight games in the single-standings league. Brighton finished eighth in the Premier League and did not qualify for European football. Associated Press
Thomas Frank and Spurs are a good fit on paper but the north London job will be a tough one for the Dane. Frank is tactically flexible but can be a slow starter and has limited experience in managing sides competing in Europe. Plus he arrives as the love still lingers for Ange Postecoglou after the Australian delivered Tottenham’s first trophy since 2008 and the club’s first European trophy since 1984.
Frank has limited experience of balancing the domestic league and Europe, the furthest he ever took Brøndby being the fourth qualifying round of the Europa League. His European record is notably poor: played 10, won three, and two of those were against Juvenes/Dogana of San Marino. His record in domestic cups, similarly, is dismal; his past history makes it unlikely a poor league season could be redeemed by other silverware – although the depth of the Spurs squad perhaps means the cups will not be such a low priority.
There is one further doubt, which is more to do with Spurs than with Frank. He is leaving an exceptionally well-run club, at which every component worked together to a coherent philosophy. There can be no certainty that any one cog from that system, however important, can achieve success in a different environment, something Chelsea have found as they accumulate more and more parts from Brighton without ever looking like replicating the efficiency of the Brighton model. It may be that such efficiency is not even possible at bigger clubs.
Read Jonathan Wilson’s full assessment below.
Tottenham confirmed the appointment of Thomas Frank last night after holding talks via intermediaries and plainly keen to avoid a protracted search for the person to lead them forward following a season in which they finished 17th with 38 points.
Spurs have been impressed by more than the headline items of Frank’s Brentford tenure – the promotion from the Championship via the playoffs in 2021, how he has established them in the Premier League, finishing 13th, ninth, 16th and 10th. Frank consistently over-achieved in relation to his financial means at Brentford; they have one of the smallest budgets in the division. An excellent communicator and noted developer of young talent, he has also shown himself to be tactically flexible.
Frank leaves ‘big part of heart’ at Brentford after departing for Spurs
Thomas Frank has penned a letter to Brentford supporters after deciding to leave the west London club nine years on from when he came in.
To everyone associated with Brentford Football Club.
The time has come for me to move on. But, even as I leave, I know I have left a big piece of my heart at Brentford, not just at the football club but with the community and, of course, the incredible and loyal supporters.
I want to extend my profound gratitude to the club for giving me the chance to pursue my dreams and for everyone involved who made the journey such a memorable one.
For my family and I, it has been a privilege to be allowed to be part of such a special community – it’s an experience and adventure that we will cherish for life. So, thank you.
Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved together, and our success is built on unity, spirit, courage and ambition at every level of the club and amongst the fans.
Everybody has contributed, and every contribution has been invaluable. I am not just leaving a football club, I am saying goodbye to friends whose support through good and bad times I will carry with me always.
I would like to say a special word of thanks to Matthew Benham [Brentford owner]. His trust and friendship have meant so much and the fact he gave me a chance in English football means I will always owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you, Matt.
So, while this is a goodbye, I hope the relationships I have built with everybody will be lasting ones and, of course, we will meet again in the wonderful world of football.
Thank you,
Thomas
Florian Wirtz has equally impressed for Germany. After missing the 2022 World Cup due to his ACL injury. He returned to the national side in 2024, scoring his first goal for Germany in seven seconds against France to become the second fastest goalscorer in international football history behind Austria’s Christoph Baumgartner.
Wirtz was named in Germany’s squad for the 2024 Euros 2024 where he scored the opener of the tournament in a 5–1 victory against Scotland, becoming the youngest German player to score in the European Championship. Against Spain in the quarter-final, Wirtz came off the bench to score an 89th-minute equalising goal but Spain went on to win in extra-time.
A possible British transfer record is nothing to scoff at but the fact Liverpool only spent around £10m on Federico Chiesa last summer combined with the finances that come with winning the Premier League, means the club seem to be happy to spend big to support Arne Slot.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the club, there are likely concerns about where Liverpool’s creative output comes from. While the two do not play the same position, Wirtz can fill help bridge that gap as a player who can progress the ball forward effectively.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz has been no secret. The club fought off interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich with the German only wanting to join Arne Slot’s side. Wirtz, who can play across the frontline, is one of the most coveted players in Europe and was understood to be impressed by Liverpool’s plans.
The 22-year-old has spent his entire senior career at Bayer Leverkusen. He was instrumental in breaking the chokehold Munich have on the Bundesliga by helping his side win their first ever league title and the DFB-Pokal in 2023-24 with 18 goals and 19 assists in 47 games, showing no signs of his ACL injury in 2022 being an issue.
Last season, Leverkusen finished runners-up to the German giants and Wirtz managed 16 goals and 14 assists in all competitions. According to Opta, only Mohamed Salah (18) and Lamine Yamal (13) recorded more than his 12 assists from open play among players from Europe’s top five leagues.
With the fee agreed between the two clubs Liverpool is now free to speak to Wirtz to agree on personal terms.
Liverpool agree potential British record fee with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz
Andy Hunter
Liverpool have agreed a fee with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz. The German will join the Premier League champions in an £100m deal plus £16m in potential add-ons that would make Wirtz the most expensive British transfer of all time, eclipsing Chelsea’s £115m purchase of Moises Caicedo.
He will undergo a medical and finalise the transfer in the coming days. Personal terms have already been agreed.
The Club World Cup starts on Sunday and has already been controversial because of extra fixtures and Fifa involvement. Add on that temperatures in US are likely to be above 30C and whew.
Notable heat events are not guaranteed during the Club World Cup but they are more likely to happen than in the past because of climate breakdown and there is a question over whether enough is being done to adapt to a new reality. The sole reference to extreme weather in Fifa’s regulations for the Club World Cup relates to the use of cooling breaks, which allow players to take on extra fluids once in each half if the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) (a measure of heat stress that includes humidity and air movement) exceeds 32C on the pitch. This is the protocol in place since 2014, and for the international players’ union, FifPro, it is insufficient. It argues that the threshold for cooling breaks should be between 28C and 32C under the WBGT, with options for a second drinks break per half. If the heat rises above 32C, FifPro argues, matches should be rescheduled.
Read more from Paul MacInnes below.
First is today’s Rumour Mill with Will Unwin detailing a possible move to Aston Villa for Alejandro Garnacho (à la Marcus Rashford) while Manchester United and Liverpool continue their search for a No 9.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our weekend football countdown! The season may be over but the Big Wheel O’Football is still spinning as fast as ever.
We are a couple days away from the opening fixture of the Club World Cup, and a lot is riding on the tournament’s financial success for Fifa’s Gianni Infantino.
Plus transfer moves and managerial changes are in full swing. Last night Tottenham confirmed Ange Postecoglou’s successor: Thomas Frank. How will he fare for the north London side? Where does it leave Brentford, the club he was at for nine years?
Join me for all the build-up, latest news and analysis and, as always, feel free to send me an email with your thoughts, questions and grievances.
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