Florian Wirtz (AM) Bayer Leverkusen

I still can’t believe he cost more than Barnes (£900k?)

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Ive read somewhere that , inflation adjusted , shearer would be the most expensive player in the premier league.

Barnes was out of contract (no Bosmans in those days). These days, Barnes would have been free.

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Again. Very valid. But the club isn’t afraid to spend. And we know that FSG have the guys from the academy they can offset for this sale.

If the club feels that he’s the player, and we know that the club doesn’t go full Boehly. Who are we to deny them ?

We are a right well run club. Probably the best financially well run club World wide (considering that we do balance with trophies as well).

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Bayer have succeeded in removing the excitement of this transfer. Greedy twats.

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To call Wirtz a generational player is at best, an opinion. However, that opinion could turn out to be true or it could turn out to be a dud. No one can guarantee he will become a world class player so it will be silly to insist that he definitely will be. The only hope we have is that our club which has a good track record of buying players know what they are doing by triggering such a big fee for one player. If and when he comes, I will get behind him.

And the big questions are…Does he want to play for LFC…does he understand our history…if yes to both…looks to be a gudden…time will tell…

I do wonder if there’s a sense from Leverkusen that we got a great deal on Frimpong because of his release clause and they’re determined to stand their ground on what they’re asking us for Wirtz because of it.

One of those where you’re almost paying for a bit of Frimpong in the Wirtz deal because you got a good deal first time and now you’re back for another.

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That fee was enormous. It was nearly double what we set the record at only a few weeks earlier.

[/racism]

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I don’t know how strict your definition of ‘world class’ is, that gets thrown around a lot as well. But some might argue he’s already there or at least pretty close to it. Key player in the first league winning season for his club, ending a decade long Bayern run, made the Euro league final, won a cup, voted as player of the season twice in a row. Considering he’s just turned 22 and had a serious ACL injury, he already has a lot of BL games at top level under his belt. Scored the opening goal and the last goal for Germany (1:1 against Spain) in a home tournament - doesn’t get much more high pressure and high profile than that. No guarentess in anything, but he isn’t some flavour of the month hype talent.

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ah oh!

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Wirtz is widely considered either the best or second best AM in the world. I also think he’s got the right mentality that will endear him to the supporters.

Barring injury - which, of course, you cannot control for - I highly doubt we will regret this deal.

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We seem to be discussing fees that are being touted on the edges of credibility when it comes to these things. No fan should be bothered if we pay an extra 30m if he wins everything here.

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Has never really been outside of his local home area (Pulheim, Köln, Leverkusen are all around the corner), been fairly protected in Leverkusen, a fairly quiet club for the level they play on, and in Germany as one of the top talents. Will be a different animal at LFC, the PL,the English Press especially with the pressure of that price tag. That’s my only slight concern, if any, barring injury.

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Don’t know about that, I might get a bit bothered if he is winning the English Football League Trophy while with us. :rofl:

I doubt there is a clause for that so it’s fine :wink:

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I hope this is done this week. He’s a very good player who seems just what we need to help us in that final third, as teams sit back and pack the defence against us. Intricate little passes, dribbling, beating a man, pressing, weighing in with goals and assists… bring it on. Width to come from the fullbacks bombing on, so now we will have multiple angles of attack against the low block.

They are holding out for the best possible price. We are trying to get the deal done for the best possible price. There’s risk for both parties in the deal not being completed, and as it is so close, I expect breakthrough very soon.

The money has long since been obscene in top level football, so I’m fairly chilled about it all. We are a well run club and to do a deal like this will extend us, but not break us. There will be player sales. The commercial side will continue to grow. TV revenue is huge. Prize money is very good too, as we have been successful.

It looks like we are investing from a position of strength, with the goal of staying at the top for years to come. No time for the faint hearted. Bring it on!

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Understandable concerns. But Wirtz carries himself like someone who relishes the opportunity to show his quality on the biggest stage.

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My major concern is would it restrict purchases elsewhere say like Kerkez however the breathing room we have probably due to the fact we’ve not spent massively for a few years while remained competitive.

We also seem to be able offload a few players who will attract decent prices.

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That’s a good point. If we complete deals for Wirtz and Kerkez, to go with Frimpong, that’s got to be £200M spent, or very near.

Sales will start to bring that outlay down, but on the other hand, we have more incoming business we would like to do, presumably a striker to replace Nunez, and then let’s see what happens in central defence.

I see at least 5 signings, and perhaps 7-8 who are sold. It feels almost ridiculous to be talking like that, but this summer seems to be shaping up for it.