Florian Wirtz’s Potential Transfer to Liverpool Could Be Derailed by Legal Dispute and Disagreement Over £126m Valuation…
A high-profile move that could see Florian Wirtz join Premier League champions Liverpool may face delays due to ongoing legal complications surrounding a controversial chapter in the young German star’s early career.
Wirtz, a standout performer in the Bundesliga, is reportedly on the verge of a blockbuster transfer that could break British records. However, FC Köln, his former club, is threatening legal action in a bid to claim a portion of the expected £126 million fee. Werner Wolf, Köln’s president, has indicated the club will pursue all legal avenues to receive what they believe is a rightful share if the 22-year-old makes the switch to Anfield.
Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz’s current club, has already rejected an offer of £109 million and is holding out for the full £126 million. This would represent an astronomical increase from the mere €300,000 (£252,000) they allegedly paid Köln in a highly contentious transfer back in January 2020—a move that stirred controversy across German football.
The three clubs—Leverkusen, Köln, and Borussia Mönchengladbach—are believed to have abided by an informal pact dating back to 2001. This gentleman’s agreement discourages them from poaching each other’s young talents. Wirtz’s transfer to Leverkusen was seen as a violation of this understanding, putting considerable strain on inter-club relations.
Reflecting on the transfer, Wirtz told Sports Illustrated: “When I moved from Cologne to Leverkusen, salary was never on my mind; I was focused solely on what was best for my career.”
Now, with Liverpool circling, the situation appears to be escalating into a legal and financial battle over Wirtz’s valuation—what some reports describe as a looming “million-dollar dispute,” according to The Express.
