Liverpool star will NOT be part of potential Florian Wirtz deal as Reds prepare record bid with negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen ongoing

That, though, won't be happening, despite midfielder's future being unclear

There had been suggestions that one Reds star would be involved in the deal

Liverpool are still short of Leverkusen's Wirtz valuation with talks still ongoing

A Liverpool star will not be part of any potential deal for Florian Wirtz as the Reds prepare a record bid for the midfielder.

Liverpool remain in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for Wirtz. Bayer want £120million and Liverpool are at £109m but Wirtz has made it clear he wants the move.

The Germany star has been convinced by Arne Slot's clear plan of where he will play in Liverpool's set-up as a No 10.

Should the Reds accede to Bayer's demands, Wirtz would become the most expensive signing in British football, overtaking the £115m Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo.

Some reports had suggested that a Reds star would be part of the deal, but that won't be happening, with a cash-only deal on the table.

That player is Harvey Elliott, who has suggested his future could lay away from Anfield. If that is to happen, however, the destination won't be Leverkusen.

A Liverpool star will not be involved in the Reds' negotiations to sign Florian Wirtz

Liverpool are still short of Bayer Leverkusen's valuation of Wirtz but talks are ongoing

Harvey Elliott (right) could leave the club, but he will not be involved in the deal for Wirtz

Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s Sporting Director, has proposed a package to his Leverkusen counterpart Simon Rolfes with easily attainable performance-related bonuses, such as Champions League qualification but the clubs are yet to agree a final fee.

Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was appointed Leverkusen's new head coach last week after Xabi Alonso departed to take charge of Real Madrid.

Ten Hag has been out of work since being sacked by United in October but has wasted little time in looking to the Premier League to reshape his new squad.

It's widely been accepted that Wirtz won't be part of that squad, but a deal with Liverpool is yet to be agreed after the player himself made it clear he wanted the Reds instead of Manchester City or Bayern Munich.

'I think it's been a lot more difficult for me because I obviously had that injury at the start,' Elliott told Liverpool Echo in April. 'But at the same time, you need to be here for the team, work as hard as you can and when the opportunities come on the pitch.

'A lot of times this season it's almost been [coming on] when we've been losing or drawing, so it is about trying to change the game, try and turn it around and have a positive impact. But, you know, any minutes for Liverpool are amazing.'

'I hope that I can push on. This is my team, I am committed to them and it's just a situation that is always going to have a lot of talk, I just need to think about what is best for my future, my career and as much as I want it to be here.'

If Elliott is to leave, though, it will be in a separate deal to the one involving Wirtz.

Arne Slot is looking to add a No 10 to his side with the club hopeful Wirtz will be the man through the door

Slot has spoken to Rayan Cherki but the midfielder is viewed as a back-up option to Wirtz

Arne Slot has also spoken to Rayan Cherki but the midfielder was viewed as a back-up option to Wirtz.

Liverpool are also aware of interest from Al Nassr for winger Luis Diaz but have yet to receive an official approach.

Wirtz, meanwhile, has taken to social media to hit out at the German press after one reporter suggested the forward would be looking to take Alexis Mac Allister's No 10 shirt should the move go through.

'Who says I want the 10,' Wirtz posted to his 3.3million Instagram followers. 'I respect players.'

He added: 'Don't believe everything what's written,' accompanied by a clown emoji.

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