Florian Wirtz move to Liverpool faces delay over compensation battle

The Merseyside club remain in active talks with Leverkusen, having reportedly tabled an offer of £109 million for the highly-rated midfielder. The Germans, however, are said to be holding firm on a £120 million valuation.

Wirtz, 21, is understood to be eager to make the switch to Anfield, with new Liverpool manager Arne Slot having assured him of a prominent role in the team — likely as a central attacking midfielder.

But the deal could be delayed yet again due to the intervention of FC Koln, the player's former club. Koln president Werner Wolf has publicly stated that the club will pursue their right to a share of the transfer fee under FIFA regulations.

Speaking to Bild, Wolf confirmed: "We're examining the matter closely. We are fully aware of our rights and will assert them. The higher Liverpool go with their offer, the more beneficial it will be for us."

The additional legal and financial complexities are the latest twist in what is becoming one of the summer's most high-profile transfer sagas

Wirtz joined Koln's youth academy in 2010, staying with the club until his controversial move to Leverkusen in 2020. Despite joining at the age of seven, Koln believe they are entitled to a slice of the fee under rules entitling training clubs to 5% of any transfer involving players developed between the ages of 12 and 23.