Liverpool have struck an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to bring Florian Wirtz to Anfield.
The Premier League champions have made the Germany international a top transfer target, beating Real Madrid and Manchester City so his signature.
With the 22-year-old only interested in a move to Merseyside, Liverpool have been left to negotiate a fee with Leverkusen who had been holding out for a deal worth £127million (€150m).
Liverpool have managed to get the Bundesliga side down to a deal worth £100m plus £16m in add-ons, the Athletic report.
Wirtz will now undergo a medical and sign a five-year contract with Arne Slot’s side.
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Including add-ons, that £116m fee is enough to make the German the most expensive signing in the history of English football.
The current Premier League transfer record for an initial fee is the £107m Chelsea paid Benfica to bring Enzo Fernandez to the club in January 2023.
Chelsea also paid £100m up front to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton six months later in a deal that could rise to £115m.
Wirtz scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in his final season at Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso.
He played an instrumental role in their Bundesliga success the previous campaign.
Wirtz is one of the most highly-rated young players in Germany with City identifying him as a possible long-term replacement for Kevin de Bruyne before deciding Leverkusen’s demands were too much for them.
Alonso, who left Leverkusen to take over at Real Madrid, was also keen to bring the midfielder with him to the Spanish capital.
With Wirtz strengthening an already formidable Reds side, former Germany and Liverpool striker Karl-Heinz Reidle has sensationally labelled Wirtz ‘a once-in-a-century talent like we’ve never had before.’
Liverpool has so much quality up front; it’s a gift for any number 10 to be able to play in this team,’ Reidle said.
‘Florian Wirtz has outstanding playing potential, and on top of that, he’s strong in tackling, which will help him in England.
‘Florian is now taking a big step in his career. He will be a huge hit with the fans and his style of play.
‘He’s an exceptional player. Florian is a once-in-a-century talent like we’ve never had before.’
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