Why Liverpool can afford record Florian Wirtz transfer amid PSR consideration

Florian Wirtz

Via Liverpool.com

Liverpool’s record-breaking signing of Florian Wirtzhas certainly raised plenty of eyebrows across the Premier League.

Understandably so for a club that has typically struggled to match the spending of rival teams in recent years.

Jurgen Klopp often bemoaned the Reds’ inability to compete in the market, while FSG’s perceived lack of spending has infuriated supporters on occasion but things have changed at Anfield this summer.

So it leads to the inevitable question: how can Liverpool afford to complete just the fifth £100million+ ($136M) transfer in Premier Leaguehistory?

Liverpool’s lack of recent spending is a significant factor in answering that.

The Merseyside club has parted with just £10M ($12M) in the last three transfer windows and was the lowest spender of any top-flight side in 2024/25 season.

It also sits 13th for transfer net spend in the last three years, and has been outspent by West Ham United, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa over a five-year period.

The financial and PSR outlook is healthy, despite the club making a pre-tax loss of £57M ($77M) loss in the latest annual financial figures.

But the club’s coffers are set to be boosted after winning the Premier League and returning to the Champions League this season, plus a lucrative new deal that has been agreed with Adidas.

Other commercial agreements, such as with Japan Airlines and Visit Maldives, have also been confirmed in the last 12 months, while a new, increased Premier League broadcast deal begins this summer.

The Athletic has shone more light on the situation in a detailed breakdown of the club’s finances.

Its report adds that commercial income increased this season after the first full campaign with the expanded Anfield Road End.

The Athletic expects Liverpool to post profits of around £30M ($41M) for the 2024/25 season, and adds the Premier League’s new TV deal is up roughly 17 percent on the previous edition.

While Wirtz’s contract may equate to around £12M per year, Liverpool has already cleared that figure off its books given that’s roughly how much Trent earned, while the lack of transfer amortisation (spreading the cost) fees forecast means the financial outlook looks positive.

Of course, it’s not just Wirtz’s signing Liverpool must incorporate into its transfer and spending calculations.

Jeremie Frimpoing’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen has been confirmed, Armin Pecsi has joined as third-choice goalkeeper, while Giorgi Mamardashvili will sign from Valencia this summer.

Milos Kerkez’s arrival is also expected, plus potential further additions, meaning it looks set to be the most expensive summer in the club’s history.

That could be offset by player sales, with Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Federico Chiesa, Jarell Quansah and Ben Doak all mooted as possible outgoings.