Gary Neville has admitted to being ‘barely shocked’ by one factor that Liverpool could possibly be about to do within the switch market.
Richard Hughes has wasted no time in striving to construct on the Reds’ Premier League title triumph, already clinching the signature of Jeremie Frimpong and – as reported by Fabrizio Romano over the previous 24 hours – ‘advancing’ of their pursuit of Milos Kerkez.
Along with the full-back duo, the Merseysiders might additionally land a blockbuster signing in Florian Wirtz, for whom Bayer Leverkusen are holding out for a price of €150m (£126.4m). As per Sacha Tablesthe 22-year-old has repeatedly communicated his want for a transfer to Anfield this summer time.
Neville ‘shocked’ by how a lot Liverpool might pay for Wirtz
Neville has applauded Liverpool for shifting so rapidly on that potential triple switch raid, though he has been caught without warning over how a lot Arne Slot’s aspect might pay for the German playmaker.
Talking on It’s Referred to as Soccerthe Sky Sports activities pundit mentioned: “Wirtz could be a sensational signing…to get these three carried out, in the event that they had been to get these three carried out fairly rapidly, could be good enterprise, however I wouldn’t have anticipated anything from Liverpool.
“Perhaps barely shocked that they’ve gone so heavy in on Wirtz by way of the price. They don’t usually go that massive, however Slot deserves it, by the way in which. He waited 12 months for a participant to signal.”
(Photograph by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Pictures)
Wirtz would justify a club-record outlay from Liverpool
Contemplating that Liverpool have by no means spent greater than £85m on one participant (and that’s provided that all of the add-ons from Darwin Nunez’s switch in 2022 are activated), to splash out simply over £125m on Wirtz could be fairly a leap of religion by FSG, so Neville’s gentle shock is comprehensible.
Nevertheless, regardless of their frugal popularity within the eyes of some supporters, the Reds’ homeowners aren’t averse to substantial outlays after they’re satisfied that it’d be cash effectively spent, and the Leverkusen star might justify a club-record funding from Anfield.
As per FBrefhe ranks among the many high 10% for a number of underlying efficiency metrics in comparison with positional friends in Europe’s 5 essential leagues over the previous yr, together with his match averages for assists (0.38), profitable take-ons (2.89), progressive passes (6.63) and shot-creating actions (5.53).
As well as, Wirtz scored 16 targets and arrange one other 15 from an attacking midfield place in 2024/25. When you think about that forwards Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz had been two of Liverpool’s high three scorers for the marketing campaign with 18 and 17 targets respectively, that speaks volumes for the German’s attacking impression.
Neville doesn’t cross up any alternative to cover his dislike for the Merseyside giants, however he’ll additionally give the membership due credit score after they produce excellence on and off the pitch – one thing they could be about to do as soon as extra in the event that they full the assertion signing of Leverkusen’s quantity 10.
