Liverpool 'discuss sending player to Leverkusen' as Florian Wirtz talks take twist

are reportedly in discussions to send a player in the opposite direction as they hope to land Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. The side value their German international at £126million, which would be a British record transfer.

However, Anfield chiefs may be able to strike a deal at a lower value if they send a player, or players, representing a major twist after other competitors pulled out of talks as they baulked at Wirtz's asking price.

claim that Leverkusen are hoping to strike a quick agreement with Liverpool and that a lot depends on the opening offer from CEO Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes.

There is also discussion surrounding a deal that would involve Liverpool paying a fee smaller than £126m for Wirtz, but also including another player in the deal that would join Leverkusen. It is unclear whether that player would leave on loan or permanently.

Leverkusen are targeting a goalkeeper, a central defender, potentially a striker, and a replacement for Wirtz this summer.

That would open the door for the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott to head to Germany as possible options.

Any of those departures would likely take Wirtz's fee below the record £115m that spent to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in 2023.

And president Herbert Hainer has , saying: "Max Eberl (Bayern sporting director) informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will transpire with Leverkusen."

Bayern were vying for Wirtz's signature alongside Liverpool and were expecting to land the 22-year-old, despite failing to reach an agreement with their fierce rivals Leverkusen.

claim that the Bundesliga champions , Hand-Joachim, after they were given the impression that the versatile forward was prepared to stay in Germany for up to four years.

Hans-Joachim Wirtz told Bayern on Friday that a deal would need to be wrapped up before the player went on his summer holiday, though Bayern felt that they were under no pressure as talks would resume over a 2026 transfer instead.

The same day, Wirtz's dad informed Eberl and Uli Hoeneß that his son had a change of heart and instead wants to leave for Liverpool.

Wirtz spoke to both and , and the Reds boss left a lasting impression on the 2023/24 Bundesliga Player of the Season. Wirtz is now convinced of a move to Merseyside alongside his Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong.