Fabrizio Romano shares what he thinks will happen with Liverpool target Florian Wirtz in January

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Liverpool target Florian Wirtz is making waves this season with Bayer Leverkusen.

Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, the 20-year-old has been one of the most impressive performers of Leverkusen’s electric start to the campaign.

This has ramped up suggestions that Wirtz could leave for one of Europe’s elite clubs in the near future. Liverpool have been mentioned plenty, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly worried that the Reds in fact lead the race.

But according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the likelihood of the German international leaving is slim. Writing in the Daily Briefing today, Romano gave an update on Wirtz’s situation.

“Contrary to other reports, I’m told there’s still no asking price and nothing decided on Wirtz,” says the transfer expert.

“He’s very focused on Leverkusen, they are flying now and nothing is happening. I don’t see them selling Florian in January, he’s a key player for Xabi Alonso, so my expectation is for Wirtz to stay at the club in January.”

Wirtz going nowhere

Although it’s easy to see why Liverpool might be interested in Wirtz, we don’t expect they’d be plotting a winter swoop anyway.

Jurgen Klopp is well-stocked for attacking players and there seems little point adding another one right now.

The only scenario that might change that is if it looks like Wirtz is imminently heading elsewhere. Then, if Liverpool really want him, then they should push ahead in January.

But, as Romano says, there seems little hope of anyone getting the youngster out of Leverkusen mid-season. The Bundesliga side are having an incredible start to the campaign and look set to challenge for trophies on all fronts.

Wirtz is at the forefront of that, and unless they receive a mind-bogglingly big offer they’ll feel they don’t need to sell.

Even in that case, it sounds like Alonso and co have already slapped a pretty enormous price-tag on Wirtz. There have been reports that a fee of something like £87m would be needed to even get Leverkusen to the table [Esport3].

Although it isn’t out of the question that one of the continent’s top sides will put that down for Wirtz, it seems unlikely in the New Year.

Instead, it feels likely that a battle to sign the forward will ensue next summer. Whether Liverpool are involved or not, only time will tell.