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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Wirtz wants to 'win everything' for Liverpool after record move
Florian Wirtz said he wants to win it all at Liverpool after completing a blockbuster move from Bayer Leverkusen on Friday, which could reportedly rise to a Premier League record fee. Reports in England said the Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million ($134 million) for Wirtz, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, with a further £16 million in performance-related add-ons making it a British record deal. However, German media suggested the fee could be even higher, starting at 130 million euros (£111 million, $149 million) with add-ons taking it to 150 million euros. One of European football's elite young stars, Wirtz has been hailed as one of the "best in the world" by former Leverkusen coach and ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is the new boss of Real Madrid. "I would like to win everything every year!" Wirtz told the club's website. "In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious." The 22-year-old played a crucial role in Leverkusen's greatest season as they claimed a first-ever Bundesliga title and the German Cup in 2023/24 without losing a single game under Alonso. Their only defeat that season, during which Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga player of the year, came in the Europa League final to Atalanta, denying Leverkusen a memorable treble. Bayern Munich restored their grip on the German game last season, with Leverkusen a distant second, and Wirtz is joining an exodus from the BayArena. Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong has already made the move from Leverkusen to Liverpool last month. - 'New adventure' - "I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me," added Wirtz, who turned down the option of joining Bayern for the move to England. "This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League." After largely keeping their powder dry in the transfer market during Arne Slot's first season in charge, the Reds are splashing out to strengthen a side that romped to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is poised to make the move to Anfield in a £40 million deal. Liverpool have also been linked with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Where Wirtz's fits into Slot's plans remains to be seen. He largely played behind a central striker at Leverkusen and has operated from a wider role for Germany. A return of 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen is evidence that he carries a threat both as a creator and a goalscorer. "The people say I'm a creative player, and I hope I can bring this creativity to the team and also the joy on the pitch," said Wirtz. "I try to make assists, goals and run for the team to defend. I hope I can just make the team one step better." Liverpool are already blessed with an abundance of forward options, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all offering a goal threat. However, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa now face even stiffer competition to get into Slot's starting line-up, raising the prospect of Liverpool selling some of that trio to free up further transfer resources.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Unusual way of flying to Europe in business that's often cheaper and quicker than well-worn routes
When travelling to Europe, Australians typically choose from a limited range of options when it comes to airlines and stopover points. It's Qantas via Singapore, or increasingly direct from Perth to London, or one of the major Middle Eastern carriers – Qatar, Emirates and Etihad – via their homebases in Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. But there's another option that has flown under the radar, pardon the pun, which is strange given it's often quicker and cheaper. Thai Airways has a growing presence in Australia and its convenient daily services to Bangkok offer a host of options for getting to popular destinations in Europe. The airline is renowned for its exceptional on-board service and high-end, restaurant-quality cuisine, so the time and cost savings only make it more of an appealing consideration. And those wanting to splash out and fly at the pointy end of the plane in business class can also nab more affordable fares than those travelling via the Middle East on larger carriers. The time and cost comparison is clear when measuring Thai Airways with popular carriers. crunched the numbers looking at a flight to the two most popular destinations for Australians – London and Paris – in early autumn, on the shoulder of peak season. Flying from Sydney to London on Qatar involves 25 hours and 30 minutes of travel, including a 95-minute stopover in Doha, at a cost of $9508 roundtrip in business class. Qantas can deliver you fastest, with a total flying time of 23 hours and 55 minutes, inclusive of a brief 90-minute transit in Perth, but it'll set you back $10,298 return. By comparison, flying Thai Airways to London requires 25 hours and 25 minutes, including the 3 hours and 20 minutes transit time in Bangkok, for $9464 return at the pointy end of the plane. Those heading to the French capital can secure even bigger savings. Flying business class on Etihad to Paris via Abu Dhabi will take 24 hours and 20 minutes, including a 140-minute stopover, and cost $10,536. Qantas can get you there in 24 hours and 35 minutes, with a two-and-half hour stopover in Perth, for $11,344, while a ticket on Qatar sets you back $9288 and takes 25 hours and 40 minutes, with an almost four-hour stop in Doha. But flying Thai Airways from Sydney to Paris takes 24 hours and 20 minutes, with an almost three-hour stop in Bangkok, for $9188. There are periods throughout the year where the cost difference for a business class ticket between Thai Airways and the major carriers is even greater. For example, in August, in the midst of peak season, return business fares to London are $1600 cheaper on Thai Airways, while a trip to Paris in the same period is about $1500 cheaper. The airline has invested heavily in expanding its international services over recent years, adding dozens of new routes, with several in Europe. In addition to London and Paris, Australians transiting via Bangkok can now fly directly onto Copenhagen, Milan, Brussels, Oslo, Stockholm, Zurich, Munich, Frankfurt and Istanbul. A stack of new aircraft are on the way in coming years. It also recently announced plans to roll out a new business class and premium economy offering across its entire long-haul fleet of Airbus A350s, Boeing 787s and Boeing 777s. In particular, the 'state-of-the-art' business suites are set to impress, with privacy doors and a host of tech features, like huge screens, Bluetooth audio and wireless battery charging. It has also bolstered its presence in Australia, now offering twice-daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok, as well as recently relaunching its direct service from Perth to the Thai capital. Thai Airways operates twice-daily services from Sydney and Melbourne to Bangkok, and once a day from Perth to Bangkok.
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
Liverpool complete £100m club-record signing of Florian Wirtz
Premier League champions Liverpool have completed the £100million club-record signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The deal for the 22-year-old Germany international could potentially become a British record as there are £16m of add-ons included, which would surpass the existing mark of £115m which Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo in 2023. It is understood Liverpool will be happy to pay these 'aspirational bonuses' as it will mean they have enjoyed considerable success at elite level.
