Liverpool agree RECORD Wirtz fee as Bayern Munich admit defeat in transfer chase

Suraj Radia

13 Jun 2025 04:27 CDT
4 min read

Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has opened up over his side’s failure to sign Florian Wirtz, whose British record transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool is now said to be a ‘done deal’.

Article continues under the video

Wirtz had initially been expected to join Bayern but he opted for Liverpool after they presented a superior financial package, while also giving Leverkusen an opportunity to ensure their talisman did not sign for a Bundesliga rival.

Liverpool’s transfer for Wirtz is believed to be costing a fee that could rise to €150 million, marking the most expensive deal in Premier League history, and Eberl admitted that Bayern were unlikely to be able to match the record offer.

Current ETV

Florian Wirtz

AM (C)

Bayer 04

Florian Wirtz

AM (C)

Bayer 04

ETV Range

€111M - €135.6M

"I don't know if we could have paid the price that Liverpool now seems to have to pay," Eberl said. "It was clear, the entire club communicated that the player was outstanding. And that we could very well have imagined him moving to FC Bayern.

"Everyone was at the table. But Florian decided otherwise. That's how it is in the transfer market,” he added. “In the first step, you say: Damn. But one door closes, another opens. Now we'll reposition ourselves for the future. Florian will make his way at Liverpool.

“He's an exceptional player. But I always say this: We already have exceptional players at our stadium. It would have been a good fit if another exceptional player had joined us. But now we're trying to find another outstanding player to help us succeed.”

Liverpool reach formal ‘agreement’ with Leverkusen over Wirtz

The revelation comes in tandem with reports in Germany that Liverpool have reached an agreement with Leverkusen over a fee for Wirtz, with the completion of a deal now just a ‘formality’ according to kicker.

It is claimed the €150m total fee includes ‘easily-achievable bonuses’ as well as add-ons dependent on ‘sporting success’, such as Liverpool winning the Champions League.

© IMAGO - Florian Wirtz has agreed to join Liverpool.

However, Wirtz is understood to still be on vacation and has yet to complete his medical with Liverpool, at which point the deal can be formally ratified and signed.

The deal would eclipse the current English transfer record set by Chelsea’s purchase of Moises Caicedo in 2023, which saw Brighton receive an initial fee of €116m, rising to €134m with bonuses.

Football transfer news headlines today

Arsenal take €45m gamble on the Bundesliga’s WORST winger

EXCLUSIVE: Gyokeres agent furious as Sporting hike transfer price after Man United approach

Nico Williams blows Arsenal and Chelsea away after TENSE update

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal face key Sesko decision that could unlock Rodrygo signing

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store