FLORIAN WIRTZ signed for Liverpool in a deal potentially worth £116million back in June.
But the fee paid to Bayer Leverkusen will only reach that hefty sum should Arne Slot’s men achieve incredible success during Wirtz’s Anfield career.
The transfer smashed Liverpool’s previous record fee, which had been the £85m shelled out for Darwin Nunez in 2022.
Although it speaks to the Reds’ ambition that they have already beaten their transfer record again by signing Alexander Isak for £130m on Deadline Day.
Of the £116m potential fee for Wirtz, only £100m is guaranteed.
The Reds’ transfer chief Richard Hughes negotiated that the initial sum would be paid across five instalments.
As for the further £16m, Liverpool will have to be incredibly successful for Leverkusen to receive it.
According to The Times, the add-ons will be triggered should the Reds win the Premier League and/or Champions League four times during Wirtz’s spell at the club.
The Germany international penned a five-year deal at Anfield, reportedly worth around £195,000 a week.
Wirtz has started all three of Liverpool’s Premier League matches so far this season, as well as the Community Shield.
The playmaker registered an assist in the penalty shoot-out defeat to Crystal Palace, but is yet to score or lay on a goal for a team-mate in the Prem.
Liverpool spent around £415m on players during a staggering summer window.
This fee could eventually top £450m, should various add-ons be triggered.
Slot’s side also paid Leverkusen £29.6m for wing-back Jeremie Frimpong.
While full-back Milos Kerkez joined from Bournemouth in a £40m deal, with deputy goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili signing for an initial £25m from Valencia.
Hugo Ekitike, who has had an impressive start to life at Anfield, was recruited from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m plus a potential £10m in add-ons.
While Giovanni Leoni and Armin Pecsi were also signed, in addition to the blockbuster Deadline Day swoop for Isak.
The Reds will return to action this Sunday with a trip to Burnley.
Isak could potentially feature, having made an 18-minute cameo for Sweden on Monday.
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