He’s arriving in 2027: Liverpool have already agreed to sign the new Wirtz for Iraola.

He is set to arrive in 2027: Liverpool has already finalized the signing of the new Wirtz for Iraola

A year ago, Liverpool fans were hopeful that attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz would guide the team to a consecutive title after his transfer to Anfield for a reported fee of £116.5m.

However, the German international has yet to make a significant impact on Merseyside, showcasing only a few standout performances at the age of 23.

With 51 appearances and merely seven goals, his difficulties in the attacking third have contributed to the Reds finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.

In light of his challenges, the club’s management has sought to enhance Andoni Iraola’s squad by adding more quality to support the Spaniard in his pursuit of success on Merseyside.

How Bradley Barcola could lead Liverpool to trophies

Winning trophies is the bare minimum that every Liverpool supporter anticipates each season, considering the financial investment and the club’s rich history. However, it is undeniable that the Reds fell significantly short of these expectations last season.

In an effort to rectify the mistakes of the previous season, the management made substantial investments in the latter part of the summer transfer window, securing the £123m signing of winger Bradley Barcola.

Describing the Frenchman as a serial winner is an understatement, as he has amassed an impressive 13 trophies during his three years at PSG.

His experience in clinching Europe’s most prestigious trophy, the Champions League, will be crucial for Iraola’s squad as they aim for their seventh UCL title in the 2026/27 season.

The 23-year-old has consistently performed well during his time in Paris, accumulating 38 goals and 35 assists in 152 appearances across all competitions.

Last season, Barcola ranked in the top 7% of forwards in Europe for shots on target per 90 minutes, while also surpassing 96% of attackers in terms of big chances created per 90 minutes.

Both figures mentioned earlier illustrate his unwavering quality in attacking positions, a feat that Wirtz has struggled to achieve during his initial year on Merseyside.

How Liverpool have secured the next Florian Wirtz

Relocating to a foreign country alone at such a young age is undoubtedly a significant challenge for anyone, which may allow Wirtz the 2026/27 season to prove why the club invested heavily in acquiring him.

However, should he fail to meet expectations, it would not be surprising if the club decided to transfer the German player to generate funds for a new elite-level number ten next summer.

The pressure will be on the 23-year-old to succeed under Iraola, who is also relying on the young talent to assist him in his pursuit of silverware at Anfield.

Interestingly, a new top attacker might not be necessary in a year, as the club has already secured Colombian wonderkid Samuel Martinez for the 2027/28 season.

In July, the Reds confirmed that a £750k agreement had been reached with Atletico Nacional for the 17-year-old’s transfer, although he will not join the team for another year.

The teenager has signed a five-year contract for his move to Anfield next summer, a timeframe that could allow him to establish himself within the club’s senior squad.

While he may be an unfamiliar name to many Reds fans, it is clear that the club’s management has secured a deal for a young talent who has the potential to shine on the European stage.

Clubs like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Atletico Madrid were all eager to sign him, but the player himself was determined to join Liverpool.

At just 17, Martinez has already proven to be a reliable presence for Colombia at the youth level, with his statistics from the U17 CONMEBOL highlighting his remarkable attacking prowess.

The forward achieved an impressive average of 7.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 63%, underscoring his capability to advance the ball into threatening positions.

He averaged 3.3 progressive passes per 90 minutes during the tournament, a statistic that could create numerous scoring chances for Barcola following his transfer to England.

Numerous scouts have praised the young talent, with Bence Bocsak stating that the Reds have acquired a “gem of a midfielder.”

While he will require time to make an impact on Merseyside, there is every reason to believe that Martinez can form an exceptional partnership with Barcola at Anfield.

This transfer has heightened the expectations on Wirtz to perform this season, as the German may risk losing his starting position to the newcomer in the 2027/28 season and beyond.