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BAYER LEVERKUSEN HAVE POSTED A CRYPTIC MESSAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA REGARDING FLORIAN WIRTZ AS LIVERPOOL MOVE CLOSER TO SIGNING THE GERMAN PLAYMAKER IN A BLOCKBUSTER DEAL 19:54, 31 May 2025 Bayer

Leverkusen have posted a cryptic message of star Florian Wirtz as his record transfer to Liverpool edges closer. The club's X account posted a collage of five photos of Wirtz, 22,

collecting Player of the Match awards in the Champions League this season, with just a face exhaling emoji as a caption. Some fans suggested it was an expression of Leverkusen’s

disappointment and resignation that such a top-quality player is set to depart. While others felt it was in reference to the club missing out on Saturday's Champions League final in

Munich as Xabi Alonso's men beat finalists Inter Milan earlier in this season’s competition. Wirtz collected more Player of the Match trophies in the competition this season than anyone

else, with three in his first four games, and five across the eight league-phase matches. Leverkusen finished sixth in the league phase but were eliminated in the round of 16 after drawing

rivals Bayern Munich. Article continues below The German champions looked set to be Wirtz’s next club just over a week ago. But he increasingly seems to be Anfield-bound with the Reds set to

obliterate their transfer record, and potentially the Premier League's record, to secure his signature for £109 million. The Reds' second bid for the Germany international, which

includes add-ons, would make him the most expensive signing in the club's history if it is accepted by Leverkusen, who had valued him at £126 million. There had been suggestions that

the full asking price had been set to try to put off Bayern Munich in their pursuit of him, but Wirtz told the Bundesliga champions a week ago that he preferred a move to Liverpool after

being impressed by Arne Slot's vision for his role in the team. DON'T MISS A THING WITH FOOTBALL UPDATES! Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then

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for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here An Anfield switch would see him link up with Leverkusen teammate Jeremie

Frimpong, who joined the Reds on Friday after they triggered the Dutch defender's £29.5m release clause. Article continues below Frimpong progressed through Manchester City's

academy before he joined Celtic in 2019 and helped Leverkusen win the league and cup double in 2024. After the 24-year-old signed his long-term contract, he said: "I'm just excited

to be here. I won't let you guys down."