There is a genuine possibility Wirtz leaves Leverkusen this summer and the race for his signature is believed to have narrowed to two clubs – Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Manchester City pulled out of the race last week after baulking at the costs involved. The Reds previously held a meeting in England with Wirtz’s family who are helping to guide the player’s direction of travel. Liverpool are prepared to sanction a record-breaking bid for Wirtz if given clear indication from the player he’s open to a new chapter in England.

Full truths in Florian Wirtz to Liverpool emerge after four journalists set record straight

There is a genuine possibility Wirtz leaves Leverkusen this summer and the race for his signature is believed to have narrowed to two clubs – Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Manchester City pulled out of the race last week after baulking at the costs involved.

The Reds previously held a meeting in England with Wirtz’s family who are helping to guide the player’s direction of travel.

Liverpool are prepared to sanction a record-breaking bid for Wirtz if given clear indication from the player he’s open to a new chapter in England.

Liverpool’s current record purchase remains the £85m (add-ons included) paid when signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica in 2022.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, remain confident they’ll fend off Liverpool’s advances that reports in Germany suggested were being led by Michael Edwards.

It was also claimed Edwards – who is FSG’s CEO of Football – had recently flown to Boston to hold an urgent meeting with FSG’s top brass regarding Wirtz. The purpose of the alleged meeting was reportedly to make the funds needed to seal a deal ‘available’.

But according to a fresh update from The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele and Dominic King, no such meeting between Edwards and FSG took place in America.

Furthermore, the two reporters – who specialise on covering Liverpool – insisted it is Sporting Director Richard Hughes and not Michael Edwards who is leading Liverpool’s transfer dealings this summer anyway.

Mail’s report read: ‘Contrary to reports in Germany, Fenway Sports Group chief Michael Edwards did not travel to the United States to get the ‘green light’ on finances to sign Wirtz.

‘He has no reason to travel to Boston and would deal with FSG over the phone – plus sporting director Richard Hughes is leading Liverpool’s transfer business this summer.’

The report then suggested the wayward reports in Germany may have been fed into the media by Bayern Munich.

The Mail continued: ‘Perhaps Vincent Kompany’s men are cranking up the volume on Liverpool’s interest to make it look like they have pulled off a mighty coup when they eventually sign Wirtz. Or perhaps they are genuinely worried he might choose the Premier League champions.

‘The truth is probably somewhere in the middle: Wirtz is on holiday this week and has a big decision to make while on his sun lounger — does he taint his Bayer Leverkusen legacy by going to Bayern and strengthening their grip on the Bundesliga? Or does he test himself in England?

‘His mind is not made up yet but Liverpool will make a good push to sign him – and that is all there is to say at this stage.’