Liverpool made a huge statement of intent last summer when they splashed out a then club record fee of £116m to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Germany international recently scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side during the 2024/25 campaign.
Unfortunately, Wirtz endured a difficult start to life at Anfield. The attacking midfielder has failed to register a goal or assist in his first 15 league games.
However, the 22-year-old star has now scored four goals and provided two assists in his last 12 Premier League appearances, an average of a goal per game.
The German international, who has three assists in nine Champions League games, is finally starting to show why the Reds were willing to pay so much for his services last summer.
Liverpool are in talks to sign the LaLiga player
Wirtz, 22, still has plenty of time left in him to develop and improve as a player, which is why his slow start to life at Anfield has never really mattered.
It is not surprising to see a young player struggle at first after breaking into a new game in a new country, as development is not always the limit, and Liverpool are now beginning to reap the rewards of their patience with him.
Head coach Arne Slot is now reportedly eyeing another young talent to arrive at Anfield such as Wirtz ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Real Madrid striker Arda Guler in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report states that FSG have been in regular contact with the player’s representatives and Real Madrid regarding a possible deal for the player, as they have had a long-term interest in his services.
However, it adds that other Premier League clubs Arsenal and Chelsea are also preparing to sign the Turkish international to strengthen their attacks.
TEAMtalk say that Real Madrid’s expected signing of Nico Paz this summer could open the way for Guler to leave, which would give Liverpool a chance to secure a long-term target.
Why Arda Guler would be Liverpool’s next Florian Wirtz
As Wirtz did, Guler would arrive at Anfield as a player with no experience of playing in England or the Premier League and would need time to adapt to the team.
The body of the league can cause problems, like Wirtz, because the Turkish star has abandoned 69% of his aerial shots, winning 0.1 per game in LaLiga.
However, Guler’s technical quality could shine at the end, as it did with the German ace, and that’s when he could emerge as a valuable signing for the Reds, should they secure a deal with Real this summer.
Since the start of last season, the 21-year-old attacker has scored ten goals and provided 23 assists in all competitions for Real Madrid, including 13 assists in 45 games this season.
Guler, who was once described as “the best CM/AM prospect in world soccer” by podcaster Neal Gardner, is a great young player who can add real creative value to the Slot team.
|
Most assists in 25/26 LaLiga |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Help |
|
Lamine Yamal |
9 |
|
Luis Milla |
9 |
|
Arda Guler |
8 |
|
Fermin Lopez |
8 |
|
Pedri |
7 |
Only Luis Milla and Lamine Yamal have provided more assists in Spain’s top flight than Real Madrid’s talent so far this season, while Yamal (22) is the only one to have created more “big chances” than Guler (13).
The Turkish sensation has 2.2 points per game for Los Blancos, more than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League, and could create high-profile opportunities for his regular teammates at Anfield.
Guler, like Wirtz, is also a versatile player who can be used in many ways. He can play as an attacking midfielder, as a midfielder, on the left side, or on the right side, cutting in with his preferred left foot.
This means Slot would be able to play both Guler and Wirtz in the same XI, perhaps playing on the wing and the other in midfield, which would make for a more creative team for the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
That is why the Reds should push to win the race to sign Guler ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal if he is available in the upcoming summer window.
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