Arne Slot persuaded Florian Wirtz to join Liverpool instead of Bayern Munich by making one significant promise that he now has to fulfill.

Arne Slot’s pivotal influence in Florian Wirtz’s decision to join Liverpool instead of other top European clubs has come to light.

The Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder is expected to be at the center of one of the summer’s most high-profile transfers, having drawn serious interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

Manchester City initially saw Wirtz as an ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, but financial concerns led them to step back. Reports also suggest that uncertainty over Pep Guardiola’s future at the club contributed to Wirtz’s hesitation.

In contrast, a new report reveals that Liverpool manager Arne Slot played a key role by giving Wirtz firm assurances that ultimately convinced him to opt for the Premier League champions instead of staying in Germany with Bayern Munich.

Following Bayern’s reclaiming of the Bundesliga title from Leverkusen, the club made a major effort to sign Wirtz as their next star acquisition. On May 18, Wirtz reportedly met secretly with Bayern executives, during which new manager Vincent Kompany spoke with him for an hour and presented a detailed pitch on a laptop. However, the meeting left Kompany with “serious doubts” about securing the deal.

Despite listening to Bayern’s offer—urged by his father and advisor, Hans-Joachim—Wirtz ultimately declined the move five days later. His decision came after being “completely captivated” by his interactions with Liverpool and particularly with Slot.

Slot, who had been authorized to speak with Wirtz since March, reportedly offered a clear vision of the player’s role, assuring him a central attacking position. The passion and ambition shown by both the manager and the club played a decisive role in Wirtz’s choice.

According to Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, a British-record transfer worth £126.3 million for Wirtz is imminent. The player is said to be preparing to fly by private jet to finalize a five-year deal. Meanwhile, Liverpool is also nearing a £34.2 million move for Jeremie Frimpong, marking a double swoop from Leverkusen.