Liverpool's £127m Wirtz Deal Sparks Backlash Over 'Crazy Money'

• Jun 11, 2025

Liverpool have finally reached an agreement to sign German playmaker Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth a staggering £127 million, including bonuses and add-ons. While the club is preparing to unveil the British record signing, fans have expressed concern over the massive fee and its potential impact on the future of football.

The 22-year-old Wirtz, capped 31 times by Germany, has been Liverpool’s top target following their dominant Premier League title win this season. Negotiations were lengthy, with Bayer Leverkusen initially rejecting multiple offers before the two clubs settled on a final package worth €150 million.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement on Tuesday night, using his signature “Here we go” phrase. The deal not only breaks the British transfer record but also surpasses several other benchmarks in football transfers.

Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot is likely thrilled to have secured such a high-profile player, but the size of the transfer fee has left many supporters uneasy. Several fans criticized the amount paid, calling it excessive and warning it could damage the sport in the long run.

One fan commented, “Bayer Leverkusen are laughing all the way to the bank.” Another wrote, “Good player but €150m is insane,” while a third warned, “Something needs to be done before this sinks football.”

Rival fans also chimed in. A Manchester City supporter pointed out that their club signed three players—Cherki, Reijnders, and Aït-Nouri—for less than €130 million combined. Arsenal fans mocked the fee, comparing it unfavorably to Martin Ødegaard’s £30 million price tag and claiming Wirtz wouldn't reach his level.

Despite the criticism, some fans defended the signing. One said Wirtz is a “sensational signing” and should be considered among the best young talents like Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.

A conspiracy theory has also emerged around the timing of the announcement. Fans noticed Adidas had commented on Wirtz’s Instagram shortly before the deal was confirmed. With Adidas set to begin a new kit deal with Liverpool in the 2025/26 season, some believe the club could announce Wirtz and the new Adidas partnership together next week.

The move is part of a larger transfer plan at Anfield. Liverpool are closing in on a third major signing and are reportedly planning to outbid Chelsea for Hugo Ekitike. Meanwhile, the club is preparing to part ways with seven players in the coming weeks.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has also spoken out, clarifying that he plans to stay at Liverpool for now, though he admitted he's exploring future opportunities.

Liverpool fans will have to wait until June 16, when the transfer window officially opens, to see Wirtz formally sign. Until then, the debate over whether he’s worth the record-breaking fee will likely continue.