Florian Wirtz’s best friend set for £25m Premier League move - but not to Liverpool

Florian Wirtz sent shockwaves through world football when he completed his record-breaking move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen.

The German international arrives with huge expectations at Anfield following the £116 million fee paid for his services, and he has not shied away from the pressure to succeed, as he sports the famous number 7 shirt.

It took Wirtz only four minutes to hit the ground running at Liverpool, assisting Hugo Ekitike in his first competitive start for the club in the Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace.

Although Wirtz failed to replicate his form against Bournemouth, the supporters remain hugely optimistic that their new talisman will become a leader for Arne Slot’s side.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The German followed his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate, Jeremie Frimpong, to Anfield, which should only aid the settling-in process in England. Now, another friend of his is set to join the pair in the Premier League.

Amine Adli will join best friend Florian Wirtz in the Premier League

According to TBR Football chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey, Bournemouth have reached a £25 million agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Amine Adli.

The Cherries accelerated talks with Adli as a direct replacement for Dango Ouattara, who departed for Brentford.

This comes after Manchester City agreed to let Erik ten Hag take Argentine starlet Claudio Echeverri as his replacement, who will spend the season on loan in Germany.

Bailey states: “I am told Iraola has pushed hard for Adli – he is a player of huge quality and Bournemouth have been pursuing him all summer – they are really excited to get him, that’s the message coming from them. They really think they are getting a player of huge quality.”

The 25-year-old is a player Wirtz knows very well; the pair spent four years together at Leverkusen and played alongside each other 20 times last season as Wirtz earned himself a Ballon d’Or nomination.

When speaking to Pro Direct Soccer, Wirtz was asked to name his three closest friends in football, all of whom played alongside the midfielder in Germany.

“Oooh, I’ve some really good friends,” the 22-year-old answered.

“Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong is also a good friend. Amine Adli, from Leverkusen.”

Florian Wirtz needs confidence to succeed at Liverpool

Alan Pardew believes Wirtz needs “uber” confidence in his own ability if he is to live up to his exceedingly high expectations for Liverpool.

Indeed, Wirtz will have hoped for a more recognisable impact on his league debut, but it is far too early to write off the German international after only one game played.

Unfortunately, his club-record acquisition does mean he will be held to a ridiculously high standard in the Premier League by supporters across the English top-flight.

It is only a matter of time before Wirtz showcases the exceptional form he has shown throughout his years in Germany, and with another of his three best friends now set to join him in England, the transition process will undoubtedly become a little easier.

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