Liverpool's summer transfer window is heating up as the Premier League champions prepare to bolster their squad with some high-profile signings. Following their triumphant 2024/25 campaign under new manager Arne Slot, the Reds are moving swiftly to secure top targets, aiming to cement their dominance at Anfield.
After a relatively quiet previous season, with Federico Chiesa as their only acquisition, Liverpool have already made significant strides this summer. The club has secured Jeremie Frimpong to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid. Frimpong’s arrival signals Liverpool’s intent to maintain strength on the right flank, a crucial position for their attacking and defensive balance.
Adding to their reinforcements, Liverpool have also signed Armin Pecsi, a promising goalkeeper earmarked as a backup and a player for the future. However, the real headline grabbers are their moves to bring in Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez, two highly-rated talents set to shake up the squad.
Florian Wirtz’s signing is particularly notable. After protracted negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool finally reached an agreement, overcoming competition from the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Journalist David Ornstein confirmed the agreed fee on June 13, 2025, following an early announcement attempt by Fabrizio Romano. Wirtz is expected to be officially unveiled early this week, with his medical and final formalities scheduled upon his return from holiday on June 18.
The fee for Wirtz reportedly ranges between €136 million (£116 million) and €150 million (£127 million), depending on add-ons. This staggering amount would make Wirtz British football’s most expensive signing, surpassing Moises Caicedo’s £115 million move to Chelsea. Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson weighed in on the deal, calling it "absolutely enormous." He explained, "He clearly wanted to go to Liverpool. Let’s not say it’s just about money. I really don’t believe that. I think he chose Liverpool on the basis that they were paying a commensurate salary to the other offers that he had."
Borson estimated Wirtz’s salary at around £200,000 net per week, roughly £350,000 gross, placing him just below Liverpool’s stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the wage hierarchy. "A player at £350,000 a week is going to cost about £20 million a year," Borson added, noting the additional 15% national insurance clubs must pay, which translates into millions of pounds extra annually. The overall financial commitment could reach £100 million plus £20-25 million annually over a five- or six-year contract, underscoring the club’s belief in Wirtz’s potential to become one of the world’s best.
Alongside Wirtz, Liverpool are targeting Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth as a long-term replacement for left-back Andy Robertson, who struggled during Slot’s debut season and is expected to leave this summer. German journalist Florian Plettenberg confirmed on June 15 that Liverpool are "100% convinced that the transfer of Milos Kerkez will go through," with a verbal agreement already in place. The deal is expected to be finalized shortly after Wirtz’s signing and presentation.
While Liverpool have yet to finalize a club-to-club agreement with Bournemouth, sources suggest it’s a matter of time, with the transfer fee estimated between £40 million and £45 million. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano emphasized that Kerkez is fully committed to joining Liverpool, stating, "Milos Kerkez, not listening to any other call or approach as he’s going to join Liverpool. It’s just a matter of time and technical steps." The summer transfer window reopens on June 16, and Liverpool plan to announce Wirtz’s signing by the end of the week, with Kerkez’s confirmation following soon after.
Initially, Liverpool’s plan was for Kerkez to slot straight into the starting left-back role, with Robertson transitioning to a backup position and Kostas Tsimikas being sold. However, this blueprint is evolving. Atletico Madrid have identified Robertson as their primary target for the left-back position and have already engaged in preliminary talks. Robertson, eager to maintain regular first-team football, is keen on the move.
Atletico Madrid reportedly hope Liverpool will facilitate Robertson’s departure either on a free transfer or for a nominal fee, a request that poses a dilemma for the Reds. Robertson remains a beloved figure at Anfield and is regarded as one of Liverpool’s finest players in the Premier League era. Yet, with the club’s ambitions and squad dynamics changing, letting him go for little or no fee could be a tough pill to swallow.
Statistically, Kerkez represents a clear upgrade over the ageing Robertson, reinforcing Liverpool’s intent to refresh their defensive options. This strategic reshuffle is part of Arne Slot’s broader vision to build a squad capable of sustaining Premier League success and making deeper runs in European competitions.
As Liverpool prepare to confirm these major signings, the football world watches keenly. The acquisitions of Wirtz and Kerkez highlight the club’s aggressive approach in the transfer market, signaling a new era at Anfield. With the Premier League title secured in Slot’s first season, the Reds are not resting on their laurels but are instead investing heavily to stay ahead of the competition.
With the window reopening, Liverpool’s transfer activity promises to be one of the most exciting stories of the summer. Fans can expect more announcements soon as the club finalizes deals that could define the next chapter of their success.
