The Times' senior Liverpool team reporter Joyce followed up on the progress of Liverpool's negotiations with Leverkusen on the transfer of Wilz.

Liverpool has made a club record of £109 million (total price of about €130 million) for Wilz. Coach Slot is eager to bring the German midfield to Anfield, demonstrating the team's ambitious intention to build a roster. Although Bayern is also interested in it, Leverkusen priced the 22-year-old with £126 million, mainly to fight off Bayern's pursuit of Werz.

Liverpool have been negotiating with Leverkusen for a week on a transfer for Wilz, after they had contacted the German club about a £30m transfer for 24-year-old full-back Flynnon. Liverpool made an offer for Wilz, they had agreed to transfer to Real Madrid before the contract expired, a deal that would earn £10 million for the team.

It is reported that Wiltz's transfer fee will far exceed Liverpool's previous record - in the summer window of 2022, they spent up to 85 million pounds for Nunes. Nunes, 25, is expected to leave Anfield this summer because he has not been able to perform stably.

In January 2020, 16-year-old Wilz joined Leverkusen from Cologne, and 5% of the transfer fee (equivalent to 3 million euros) will be owned by Cologne.

In addition to Flynnon and Wilz, Liverpool also hopes to strengthen the left-back position, with the 21-year-old Colz being their number one target, and Bournemouth has priced £45 million.