Wirtz moves to Liverpool, Leverkusen cleverly arranges deal to save millions
Recent reports suggest that German prodigy Wirtz is set to move from Bayer Leverkusen to Premier League giants Liverpool. The news has not only sparked speculation among fans but also prompted Leverkusen to think carefully about their finances.
According to German media outlet Bild, the total deal is worth approximately 140 million euros, with additional bonus clauses. If the player performs exceptionally well in the future, an additional 10 million euros could be added. Currently, both parties have reached a preliminary agreement and are expected to finalize the deal shortly.
Many might think that receiving such a large sum of money all at once would be a good thing for the club. However, for Bayer Leverkusen, receiving the payment in installments is actually more advantageous.
The reason is that if they receive the entire transfer fee in one lump sum, they are required by regulations to spend the money within this year; otherwise, it would be treated as profit and must be remitted to their parent company, Bayer AG. This summer, Bayer Leverkusen also sold several players, including Frenkie de Jong, Boniface, and Kosonou, generating total revenue of approximately 250 million euros. If they add the one-time large income from Wirtz, they would likely have to pay a significant “profit tax.”
Therefore, by paying in installments and spreading the income over the next few years, they can legally pay much less tax. This will save Leverkusen several million euros, which can be used for team building or other expenses.
In fact, this is not the first time this has happened. Back in 2020, when Havertz joined Chelsea for around €100 million, Leverkusen used a similar strategy.At that time, they did not collect the transfer fee in one lump sum, but in several installments, which also saved a lot of costs.
It was precisely thanks to the transfer income that Leverkusen was able to sign excellent players such as Inca, Amin Adli, and Hickey, and under the leadership of head coach Alonso, won the 2024 Bundesliga and German Cup double crown.
Now, the club plans to use the funds brought in by Wirtz to continue investing in the team. However, they will not use it to buy a big-name player worth tens of millions of euros, but will instead prefer to sign several cost-effective players to strengthen the overall strength of the team. At the same time, they will continue to nurture young players in preparation for the future.
Once Wirtz’s transfer is officially completed, Leverkusen can begin to look for a new defensive core and midfield playmaker.It is reported that AC Milan center-back Gaff, Como’s Pas, and Manchester United winger Anthony are all potential targets.
Overall, Wirtz’s transfer is not only a step forward in his personal development but also brings tangible economic benefits and team-building opportunities for Bayer Leverkusen. The club’s shrewd maneuvering has also made this deal more efficient and sustainable.
