Liverpool confirm the signing of German midfielder Florian Wirtz

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of midfielder Florian Wirtz from German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The defending Premier League champions agreed on a €136.3 million (£116m) deal with Leverkusen to sign the Germany international.

The deal represents a club record fee for Liverpool and a potential British record transfer, should the add-ons be activated, eclipsing that of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.

Wirtz signed a long-term deal with the Reds, becoming the club’s third summer signing.

He was a target for Manchester City, but the Cityzens withdrew their interest. They eventually signed French young star Rayan Cherki from Lyon.

Bayern Munich were also linked with him, but they were informed in May that the talented midfielder favoured a move to Liverpool.

The German midfielder scored 11 goals and provided 12 assists to help Leverkusen win the Bundesliga in the 2023/2024 campaign and was named the Player of the Season.

He recorded 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions last term as Leverkusen finished second in the league and reached the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Liverpool have shown ambition in this summer’s transfer window by signing a world-class talent like Wirtz.

They have also confirmed the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, Wirtz’s team-mate at Leverkusen and are set to make further additions before the end of this transfer period.

Leverkusen are on the verge of signing young centre-back Jarell Quansah, potentially opening the door for the club to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Striker Darwin Nunez could also leave the club, allowing them to make a move for Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, or any other target as the Uruguayan replacement.