Report: Bayer Leverkusen eye Liverpool duo in Florian Wirtz transfer 'tug-of-war'

The Bundesliga powerhouses have reportedly pinpointed Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah as potential makeweights in a move to finalize the transfer of the 22-year-old German phenom to the Premier League champions.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reported the development, noting, "Bayer 04 Leverkusen have the idea to include Harvey Elliott or Jarell Quansah in the deal for Florian Wirtz."

He added in a recent X post that talks remain fluid, with no agreement finalized. Liverpool have tabled a second bid of 109.5 million pounds, including add-ons, for Wirtz, but Leverkusen rejected it, according to The Times' Paul Joyce, holding firm on their valuation of the dynamic playmaker.

The Reds rate Elliott, a versatile midfielder, at 40 to 50 million pounds, while Quansah, a rising defensive star, is valued at around 30 million pounds, per the Daily Mail. Leverkusen see the duo as ideal additions to strengthen their squad, especially with whispers of a move for Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken also circulating.

Yet, any swap hinges on the willingness of Elliott and Quansah to leave Anfield. Elliott, a former Fulham gem, expressed his commitment last April, telling the Liverpool Echo, "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."

Last season, Liverpool, under Arne Slot, clinched their 20th league title, but both players struggled for game time. Elliott started just two Premier League matches, while Quansah appeared in four, even with Joe Gomez sidelined by a serious injury.

Wirtz, with his flair and vision, could further crowd the midfield, making Elliott a prime candidate for Leverkusen to pursue as a creative replacement.

Bayer Leverkusen fueled the buzz with a recent X post, declaring, "We're building for the future, exciting times ahead at the BayArena!"

Liverpool, fresh off signing Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong for 30 million pounds, are determined to land Wirtz, viewing him as a transformative talent. As negotiations heat up, the football world watches eagerly to see if this daring swap deal will reshape both teams' futures.