When a talent like Florian Wirtz becomes available, it would have been foolish for Liverpool to pass up the chance – they had little choice but to go all-in to secure the signing.
It came at a significant cost: £100 million upfront, with an additional £16 million in performance-related bonuses. Still, Liverpool triumphed in the race for his signature, beating out elite competition from Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.
A clear statement from the reigning Premier League champions – they don’t plan on letting go of their crown easily in the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool had also explored the possibility of signing Kevin De Bruyne.
It’s unfortunate that the lifelong Liverpool supporter never got to wear the club’s iconic red jersey.
That said, there’s no denying the success De Bruyne enjoyed during his time in England. The Belgian maestro was instrumental in Manchester City’s dominance, collecting six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a slew of other domestic and European honors.
Appearances: 422 | Goals: 108 | Assists: 177
(Stats via Transfermarkt – Kevin De Bruyne’s total contributions at Manchester City)
At 33, the ex-Bundesliga playmaker is past his peak but still offers tremendous value to any top-tier team.
Considering that, it’s no surprise Liverpool’s hierarchy explored the idea of bringing him in on a free transfer.
According to The Athletic’s Manchester City reporter Sam Lee, there was a brief exchange between the club and De Bruyne’s representatives.
However, with Wirtz’s arrival breaking Liverpool’s transfer record, it’s fair to wonder how much playing time the former City talisman would have realistically received.
Not that we’re complaining – relying on a now injury-prone attacking midfielder for creativity would have been a gamble. A squad rotation role might have been ideal for both parties, assuming the club could absorb De Bruyne’s likely astronomical wage demands.
In the end, the veteran appears to be eyeing a move abroad in search of more consistent playing opportunities – and fair play to him for that.
Leave a Reply