The transfer saga involving Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has taken a fresh twist as Liverpool battle to get the deal over the line. Over the last few weeks, Wirtz, 22, has dominated the headlines as his future became the talk of the town.

Germany's Rhineland clubs - namely Leverkusen, Koln and Borussia Monchengladbach - were all reported to have a gentleman's agreement not to 'steal' one another's youth talent, dating back to 2001, when Koln tracked and signed Leverkusen's then-12-year-old starlet Marco Quotschalla with the lure of an eight-year contract.

Liverpool are preparing to break the bank to sign the playmaker, and in Germany's defeat to Portugal he scored and proved he's no soft touch