The discussions between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen concerning a transfer for Florian Wirtz are anticipated to continue for an extended period after the Premier League champions reportedly had their third offer declined.
Over the last fortnight, the negotiations have been characterized as a “poker game” by the German media.
Leverkusen appears to be serious about their €150 million (£126.4 million, $171.1 million) valuation of the 22-year-old playmaker.
After initially submitting a bid of €100 million (£84 million, $113.7 million) at the end of May, Liverpool has progressively increased their offer to €134 million (£113 million, $152.8 million).
The deal was thought to be nearing completion, but the latest proposal has once again been turned down, according to The Times.
Liverpool was willing to provide Leverkusen with a guaranteed £100 million along with an additional £13 million in performance-related bonuses, yet the Bundesliga club has remained resolute.
The Times reports that the Reds are already preparing a fourth bid, which BILD anticipates will be around €140 million (£118 million, $159.7 million)—slightly below Leverkusen’s asking price.
Both sources indicate that the completion of the deal is a matter of when it will happen, rather than if it will occur.
An agreement between the club and the player has reportedly already been reached.
Wirtz is expected to sign a five-year contract with a salary that could place him in the same category as Liverpool’s consistent top scorer, Mohamed Salah.
Wirtz, for his part, has remained somewhat evasive regarding the situation.
The Germany international has provided little more than a nod of acknowledgment when confronted with inquiries about his future.
However, he did display a distracted performance during his nation’s 2–0 loss to France in Sunday’s Nations League third-place playoff.
The financial figures surrounding Wirtz’s transfer have significantly exceeded the previous club-record fee for a Liverpool player.
Nevertheless, if the Reds do reach as high as £118 million, the incoming German would become the most expensive signing in British football history, surpassing Chelsea’s £115 million ($155.6 million) deal for Moisés Caicedo.