Confidence is growing that Reds can strike a deal to sign Leverkusen star Wirtz

LIVERPOOL are confident of agreeing a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to make Florian Wirtz the most expensive player in Anfield history this summer.

- By PAUL GORST

The Reds have been in talks with Leverkusen over Wirtz and his team-mate Jeremie Frimpong for the last couple of weeks, with the latter’s £30million release clause smoothing the path for a switch to Merseyside, which has yet to be confirmed but is understood to be close.

However, having made it clear to Wirtz and his entourage that the Premier League champions would be at the front of the queue if he felt his next move was best served away from the Bundesliga, German champions Bayern Munich were forced to concede defeat last week having seen Manchester City throw in the towel days earlier.

Talk of formal discussions with Leverkusen have been played down by Anfield officials, but there is a determination to bring the 22-year-old to England.

Leverkusen sources have remained tight-lipped on how far along the negotiations are with the Reds but Wirtz has his heart set on a move to Merseyside and Bayer will reluctantly look to facilitate the wishes of the versatile attacking midfielder, seeing a switch to England as preferable over losing him to Bundesliga rivals Bayern.