Liverpool are among the “big clubs” pursuing the signature of Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are also involved in the battle for the 20-year-old’s signature but Plettenberg claims Bayern Munich are the favourites to snap him up if they can match his price tag.

It is believed that Leverkusen would want around €120m (£104m) for Wirtz, which would break Bayern’s transfer record, so it could allow a rival to swoop in and sign the German international instead.

While Leverkusen still hope to keep hold of the player for at least one more season, that stance may change if they do receive an offer that is too good to turn down.

Wirtz has been in great form

The playmaker has played an instrument role in Leverkusen’s remarkable start to the season, which sees them top the Bundesliga table after 12 games, having dropped only 2 points.

Wirtz has scored 6 goals and provided 10 assists in only 18 appearances, and his performances have unsurprisingly attracted the attention of elite European clubs.

Do Liverpool need a player like Wirtz?

On the face of it, it is hard to see where the German would fit into the Reds’ starting eleven. Some have suggested that he could be Mohamed Salah’s replacement, with the Egyptian tipped to leave for Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.

However, Wirtz is right-footed and rarely plays on the right flank. All of his games for Leverkusen this campaign have either come as a No.10 or on the left wing. There is an argument to say that he could be deployed as one of the two No.8s but you would then have to bench either Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister.

For a player of Wirtz’s talent, though, manager Jurgen Klopp may feel that he is worth taking a risk on.

Does Klopp know his best Liverpool XI? Watch our pundits discuss the issue on Shots!TV here