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According to widespread reports last week, Liverpool agreed a deal to sign the Germany international, which includes a guaranteed £100m initial fee and a potential further £16m in add-ons and would make him the club's record signing.

Further reports suggest Wirtz will have his medical at Liverpool, flying to the UK after his current post-season holiday.

The German was a key player for Leverkusen over the last two seasons, helping it to a first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-2024, as well as the DFB-Pokal.

He then followed that up with 30 goal involvements (16 goals, 14 assists) in 45 appearances in all competitions last term. Meanwhile, only Alex Grimaldo (107) created more chances than his 91.

In the past two Bundesliga campaigns, Wirtz completed the most dribbles among all players in the competition (161), having attempted 446.

Bayern Munich had also been interested in signing Wirtz, and Watzke believes it would have been better for the Bundesliga if he had opted to stay in Germany.

"It's a real shame that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga," Watzke said. "I wouldn't have had a problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern. That would have been better for the Bundesliga."