Liverpool are reported to have held talks with the entourage of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz during a surprise visit to England earlier this week.

Wirtz’s father was spotted returning from a visit to Blackpool, England and was revealed to have held talks with Manchester City, who are rivalling leading suitors Bayern Munich for the Germany international’s signature.

Now, however, kicker state the trip also included a meeting with Liverpool. The Reds took the opportunity to voice their interest in signing the 22-year-old, who was also present on the trip to England.

BILD note the Wirtz party spent an hour in Blackpool, where they met officials from Liverpool, before another short flight to Manchester for talks with Pep Guardiola’s City.

City had contacted Leverkusen to formally request permission to speak with Wirtz. They see the German as a dream replacement for the departing Kevin De Bruyne but will have to dig deep to win the race for his signature, with Leverkusen prepared to demand the best part of €150m (£126.5m).

Further details on Liverpool’s meeting are provided by The Athletic, who suggest the Reds’ approach was more informal and simply a signal of their interest, rather than any concrete transfer talks.

Wirtz’s next destination remains a mystery. Bayern are thought to be confident of getting a deal done and Liverpool may well have been informing Wirtz that, should he choose to leave the Bundesliga, he would be welcomed at Anfield.

Both Guardiola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot are described as huge admirers of Wirtz, who has racked up 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions for Leverkusen this season.

Leverkusen officials have not yet abandoned all hope of retaining Wirtz, but the midfielder recently confessed he was open to a change of environment in an attempt to further his career.