appear to be on the verge of securing Florian Wirtz, with Arne Slot's team making a £109m bid for the rising star of German football. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder seems set for what could be a record-breaking transfer to the newly-crowned Premier League champions, having turned down Manchester City and Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.

This will mark the second move in Wirtz's career, following his controversial switch from Cologne to Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz began his career at SV Grun-Weiss Brauweiller, where his grandfather is chairman, before signing his first professional contract with Cologne. Fans at the RheinEnergieStadion were eager to see the young player, known for his exceptional technical skills, dribbling ability and precise passing, take to the field for The Billy Goats. After spending ten years in their youth system, Wirtz made a sudden departure to Leverkusen before making his first-team debut, surpassing Arsenal's Kai Havertz as The Black and Reds' youngest ever league player at just 17 years and 15 days old.

However, the move sparked controversy, with Cologne alleging that Leverkusen had violated a gentleman's agreement between the three Rhineland clubs (Cologne, Leverkusen, and Borussia Monchengladbach) not to poach each other's young talents. This pact had been in place since 2001, when Cologne signed 12-year-old Marco Quotschalla to an unprecedented eight-year contract from Leverkusen.

As a result of the shared desire to preserve the flow of local talent, the neighbouring trio had an understanding not to poach each other's academy prospects.

Cologne were incensed by the controversial transfer of Wirtz, stating that it was a violation of the "[broke an] agreement between Cologne, Leverkusen and Monchengladbach". The club voiced their outrage saying: "That this was ignored shows us what kind of business we are in."

From Leverkusen's perspective, they stressed the significance of the acquisition for their first-team aspirations, with then managing director Rudi Voller explaining to Kicker: "It would have been grossly negligent not to enter negotiations."

Wirtz himself took ownership of his choice, asserting: "My switch to Leverkusen at U17 level was solely my decision, as I saw better prospects for myself in Leverkusen - and it worked out that way too."

And indeed, it did succeed, as Wirtz steered Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory, drawing on the tactical acumen of former Liverpool maestro, Xabi Alonso, during in unbeaten campaign. After making waves in Germany, Wirtz is reportedly eyeing a move to Anfield under Arne Slot's Premier League-winning Liverpool.