Arne Slott’s Liverpool’s summer transfer window has caused great anxiety across the country, with the club spending heavily to strengthen their title credentials for the 2025/26 season.
The last time the Reds won the Premier League was in the Dutchman’s first year at Anfield, after spending £450m in the off-season.
During this period of spending, Slott twice broke the club’s transfer record, with Alexander Isak joining for the most expensive transfer at £125 million.
As a result of the money spent, various areas of the team have improved significantly, but so far it has been in vain and the club currently remains in 4th place after 21 games.
However, the hierarchy has a chance to help the slot during the current window, with a number of players currently on the radar.
Liverpool are planning a club-record deal for a European star
In recent weeks, Liverpool have been one of a number of teams said to be interested in signing RB Leipzig attacker Yann Diomande during the winter period.
The Ivorian international has made incredible progress since the 2025/26 season, going on to score six goals in the Bundesliga in his first 16 games under Ole Werner.
As a result, the Reds are in a battle with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur over his contract, with a £100m price tag being mooted for his fee.
Diomande isn’t the only player currently on the radar during this period, with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham once again attracting the club’s attention.
According to one Spanish media outlet, the Reds are considering a bid of 180 million euros (about £156 million) for the England international. This is a new club record contract.
The Spanish giants also said they have no intention of letting the 22-year-old midfielder go, as they consider him untouchable and not for sale.
However, Reds bosses have also said they are trying to persuade the La Liga club to enter into negotiations and make a deal possible, but such a move is unlikely.
Why Bellingham is better than Wirts for Liverpool
As mentioned earlier, Liverpool spent a small amount of money on new players over the summer, but Florian Wirths was just one player who moved to Merseyside.
The German’s signing fee was reported to be £116.5 million including add-ons, a club record, which subsequently put huge pressure on the attacking midfielder’s shoulders.
There’s no denying that he hasn’t lived up to expectations at Anfield so far, with the 22-year-old scoring just two goals and providing four assists in his first 26 games across all competitions.
Wirtz has shown glimpses of the Quaker in recent weeks, with a total of three goals and an assist in his last five games for the Reds.
But he ultimately struggled to get back on track, which may have played a role in leadership’s decision to pursue a move to Bellingham this winter.
The Englishman has been one of Europe’s star performers in recent years and signing the midfielder could take the first-team squad to the next level.
Comparing his performance in the current campaign to Wirtz’s, the Madrid star has dominated in key areas, showing why he is the better player for the Reds.
Described as “world class” by journalist Henry Winter, Bellingham has completed more progressive passes per 90 this season and has also completed more passes into the final third.
Such numbers attest to his incredible ball-playing ability, while also offering more creative options than Wirtz, which could allow Liverpool’s attackers to reach the next level.
Comparison of Bellingham and Wirtz in 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | bellingham | Worts |
games played | 15 | 20 |
goals and assists | 7 | 3 |
progressive path | 9.1 | 6.4 |
Pass accuracy | 89% | 82% |
advance to the final third | 6.7 | 3.7 |
Successful take-up | 56% | 50% |
progressive carry | 2.5 | 2.1 |
aerial won | 52% | 15% |
Statistics by FBref | ||
The England international has added to his previous attempted take-ons, underscoring his great ability to get the ball into dangerous areas at every opportunity.
His all-round superiority over the German is further reflected in his higher numbers of progressive carries per 90 and higher aerial success rate, which could make him the perfect option for teams in the slot.
Bellingham could also play as a box-to-box option or as a number 10, making him an ideal fit for Liverpool’s three-man midfield system.
While such a deal would cost a small fortune, it could help the Reds get back on track in the near future, potentially allowing them to dominate England’s top flight once again.
As for Wirtz, he could well be available on loan if Bellingham moves to Anfield, with the German desperately needed to prove his worth in the coming games.
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