Florian Wirtz Becomes Liverpool’s Record Signing as Slot’s Rebuild Begins

Wirtz Headlines Liverpool’s Aggressive Summer Rebuild
Liverpool has wasted no time reshaping their title-winning squad under Arne Slot, launching a bold summer of investment that signals their intent to stay at the Premier League summit. The most headline-grabbing move is the arrival of Florian Wirtz, who becomes the most expensive player in British transfer history.

Wirtz joins from Bayer Leverkusen after a sensational campaign in which he led the German club to their first-ever Bundesliga title and a domestic double. His signing is seen as a true statement of intent, bolstering an already formidable attack that includes Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

A Star With Style—and Substance
Though just 22, Wirtz has long been touted as one of Europe’s brightest midfield talents. He broke into Bayer Leverkusen’s first team wearing the No.27 shirt before inheriting the iconic No.10 jersey last season. That switch marked his rise to talismanic status at the club as he steered them through an unbeaten domestic campaign.

For the German national team, Wirtz has worn a variety of shirt numbers, including 7, 11, and most recently 17, during the June international break. His flexibility on the pitch is matched by a fluid approach to shirt numbers—although speculation about him demanding Liverpool’s No.10 was shut down by the player himself.

Responding to rumours on social media, Wirtz stated: “Who says I want the 10? I respect players. Don’t believe everything that’s written.” That message silenced talk of a potential number dispute with Alexis Mac Allister, who currently wears Liverpool’s No.10.

Likely Shirt Number and Squad Options
With Darwin Núñez vacating the No.27 shirt after switching to No.9, Wirtz is widely expected to reclaim the number he wore during his rise at Leverkusen. The No.27 jersey at Anfield has a legacy of its own, having been previously worn by Divock Origi and others.

If Wirtz opts for a different look, he’ll have several options. Numbers 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are all currently available at Liverpool, offering flexibility as he settles into the squad.

Other Key Signings and Strategy
Liverpool’s transfer business has been sharp and focused. Jeremie Frimpong has arrived from Bayer Leverkusen to shore up the right flank, while Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth is reportedly on the verge of joining for around £40 million. After a relatively quiet window last year, the Reds appear ready to flex their financial muscle this summer.

With a fresh influx of talent and Wirtz at the heart of the project, Arne Slot’s Liverpool looks determined to build a dynasty rather than simply defend their crown. Wirtz has already sent a confident message to the league: “I want to win everything.”

That intent, and the firepower now assembled at Anfield, makes Liverpool a frightening prospect for the 2025/26 season.

Photo: liverpool fc

MORE NEWS