When a talent like Florian Wirtz becomes available, Liverpool had little choice but to pull out all the stops to secure the deal.
The transfer didn’t come cheap — £100 million up front with an additional £16 million in potential bonuses — but the Reds managed to beat out top clubs like Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid to land the highly sought-after star.
It’s a bold move from the reigning Premier League champions, signaling that they have no intention of letting go of their crown in the 2025/26 season without a fight.
Liverpool Held Brief Talks with Kevin De Bruyne
It’s a bit of a missed chapter in football that Kevin De Bruyne, a childhood Liverpool fan, never got to wear the iconic red shirt.
That’s not to say he didn’t enjoy a glittering career. The Belgian maestro guided Manchester City to six Premier League titles, a Champions League win, and a cabinet full of both domestic and European honors.
Now 33, De Bruyne may be past his prime, but his pedigree still makes him an appealing option for top clubs worldwide.
So it’s no surprise that Liverpool at least explored the possibility. According to The Athletic’s City correspondent Sam Lee, there was a “brief conversation” between the player’s representatives and the club.
Wirtz Signing Closed the Door
In the end, Liverpool went all in on Wirtz, sealing a club-record deal. That decision likely left little room for De Bruyne to see meaningful minutes at Anfield.
And frankly, with his recent injury record, it might have been a risk to depend on him as a key creative force. A squad role could have made sense — if not for the significant wages De Bruyne would likely command.
Instead, the veteran midfielder is now looking abroad for a new challenge and more consistent playing time.
And honestly? Fair play to him.
