Florian Wirtz is likely to set Liverpool back a club record sum, and the Reds may need to raise money from other sources to finance a move for the Bayer Leverkusen star
After seeing a second bid for Florian Wirtz knocked back, Liverpool could find themselves in the position of needing to sell in order to spend. They have already signed Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jeremie Frimpong this summer, with Milos Kerkez continuing to be linked, so it could be a busy summer for both ins and outs.
The second offer from Wirtz would have seen Arne Slot’s side pay up to £109million including add-ons. Former Liverpool CEO Peter Moore believes that, in order to up that bit, at least one sale is likely to be needed.
In early May, Slot pointed to the challenges involved in identifying new signings. It has been tough for fringe players to break into the starting XI, and – if the calibre of new signings goes up a notch – some of those on the fringes may need to look elsewhere for minutes.
“We have just won the league, we were so competitive v PSG [in the Champions League], it is not easy to find better players to improve us,” the Dutchman told reporters. “They need to be available and we need to be able to afford them.”
So, who might leave Anfield in order for the club to finance the anticipated club-record move for Wirtz? Here, Mirror Football looks at some of the options.
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Harvey Elliott
Liverpool’s next offer for Wirtz could see them offer a player to the German club in lieu of additional money. And England Under-21 international Elliott could well be that player if Leverkusen want someone capable of playing in a similar role to Wirtz.
“It’s been hard with how much I’ve played,” Elliott said in May when reflecting on his lack of action. The 171 minutes he played after Liverpool were confirmed as title winners represented nearly half of his league action all season, though he did end the campaign averaging a goal involvement for every 103 minutes played across all competitions.
“I’ve tried as hard as I could and whatever happens, happens,” he added. “It’s about what’s best for my career. It’s about reflecting and seeing what I can do. I’m here at the moment and I’m focusing on the final game.”
Jarell Quansah
Quansah is the other player touted as part of a potential part-exchange deal. The young defender started Slot’s first league game back in August, but was taken off at the break and failed to dislodge Ibrahima Konate for the remainder of the season.
The 22-year-old, who can play at centre-back or right-back, made 25 appearances last season. He has also been the subject of interest from Newcastle, and could yet be sold to raise funds separately from any potential Leverkusen interest.
If he does join the German club, he wouldn’t be the first Englishman to move to the BayArena. Callum Hudson-Odoi spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Leverkusen from Chelsea, before moving to current club Nottingham Forest the following summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher
One man who is almost certain to move on is Caoimhin Kelleher. Brentford’s £18m move for the Irishman is all but complete, and he reinforced his stance on a summer exit after the final game of the season.
“I’ve said it before as well, I feel like I’m good enough to be a No.1 and I feel like I’m good enough to play week in, week out and that’s what I’m looking to do,” he said. “This season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games but it’s definitely something I’m looking at.”
Brentford’s interest comes as they prepare for current first-choice Mark Flekken to join Leverkusen. Liverpool, meanwhile, already have a replacement on the way in the form of Mamardashvili.
Darwin Nunez
It’s fair to say Uruguay striker Nunez hasn’t hit the heights expected of him when he joined from Benfica. He showed flashes of quality under Jurgen Klopp, but was very much on the fringes last season as Slot settled on his preferred front-line.
The majority of Nunez’s minutes last season came from the bench – especially in the league, where he started just eight times. It is hard to envisage him getting more opportunities next season, especially if Wirtz is employed as part of a front three under Slot.
The question concerns who might pay Liverpool what they want for their number nine. If he’s prepared to spend a season or two in the Saudi Pro League, that might end up being the best solution.
Kostas Tsimikas
Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson had moments last season which gave people reason to believe he might not have too long left at the very top. However, despite waiting patiently for his chance, Kostas Tsimikas doesn’t look like the choice to step up in his stead.
Tsimikas has underwhelmed in a defensive sense, to the point that Slot and Liverpool’s transfer team have started looking elsewhere. Milos Kerkez looks like being the answer, with Reds sporting director Richard Hughes eyeing a reunion with the man he brought to Bournemouth from AZ.
There have been Premier League links, with Leeds among those said to be keen. The newly promoted side could lose Junior Firpo this summer, with the former Barcelona man yet to agree a contract extension, leaving a gap which Tsimikas could fill.
Luis Diaz
Diaz has been a key man for Liverpool this season, scoring 13 league goals and adding three more in Europe. There has been significant interest in the Colombia star, though, and if Liverpool want to raise significant funds through the sale of just one player then he could be that mna.
The forward’s partner Gera Ponce shared what some have interpreted as a goodbye message on social media amid links with Barcelona and Al Nassr. However, speaking to club media earlier in the year, former Porto star Diaz indicated he was happy at Anfield.
“From the moment I arrived, I felt great pride,” the Colombian said. “I always tried to work hard for this, and to see that nowadays things are working out for me fills me with pride and I’m really happy because that’s what I work for.
Federico Chiesa
Chiesa was the only new arrival in Slot’s first summer, joining in a cut-price move from Juventus. He has been linked with a return to italy after a lack of minutes in an injury-interrupted season which only featured one league start, though Slot gave him hope for the future.
“He is good enough to play for us, or a club of our standards,” Liverpool’s manager insisted. “In terms of the quality he has, he would deserve more playing time at this football club, or the club he is playing for, as he has the quality to play for us.”
Napoli are among the clubs linked with the Italian, and they have money to spend after selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in January. However, Chiesa may decide it’s too early to give up on his hopes of becoming a Premier League starter for his current employers.
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