Liverpool are ready to step up their transfer push to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.
The Reds hierarchy are keen to complete the bulk of their summer transfer business in the first two weeks of June to ensure Arne Slot has a full preseason to work with his new-look squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on his summer move to Real Madrid and Wirtz's clubmate Jeremie Frimpong has been highlighted as Slot's first-choice replacement.
A double raid on Leverkusen is ongoing from Slot alongside growing interest in Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez.
Real Madrid are also planning a late challenge for Wirtz with Leverkusen confident of Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich dropping their interest in the 22-year-old.
If Liverpool can secure a deal for the Germany international, that will mean more departures from Slot's current roster, and former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has highlighted the main name in the frame to lose out.
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Liverpool exits in 2025: Kelleher, Elliott, Nunez transfer latest
Back up goal keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has outlined his position over wanting to leave to gain a No.1 spot elsewhere with England international Harvey Elliott also tipped for an exit due to a lack of playing time.
In attack, Darwin Nunez has been highlighted as a possible sale option, with former side Benfica reportedly considering a £45m [$65m] offer to bring the Uruguayan back to Lisbon on the back of just 40 goals scored across all competitions in three seasons at Anfield.
Wirtz's positional flexibility to play across the forward line - as a traditional No.10 or a 'false nine' - means Nunez could be the odd one out, according to Murphy.
"Wirtz likes playing as a No.10, which means [Dominik] Szoboszlai would drop a bit deeper, or Wirtz can play as a false nine and then you've got the same three in midfield [of Alexis] Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and [Ryan] Gravenberch," as per reports from TalkSPORT.
"If that's what happens, I think Nunez will go."
Nunez's current contract runs until 2028, and Liverpool will likely need to take a loss on the 2022 fee they initially paid Benfica for the striker, but Slot needs to find a way to part-fund the Wirtz deal.
Leverkusen are aiming for £100m [$135m] as an upfront fee with a further £25m [$34m] in performance-related add-ons split across his contract.
Liverpool news and related links
- Liverpool transfer target sets 'start of June' deadline over future decision
- Liverpool legend makes shock claim over Arne Slot's plan for Jeremie Frimpong
- Liverpool and Tottenham 'make contact' to sign French winger this summer