The skyrocketing market value of Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz has been detailed, a figure that will almost certainly rule out a January move for the 20-year-old.

The 14-cap Germany international, set to compete at a home Euros this summer, has played an integral role for Xabi Alonso in his club’s stay at the top of the Bundesliga having started all but one league game this season.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Wirtz has bagged eight goals and 12 assists in 23 matches across all competitions this season. He is consequently being linked with a switch to several European big-hitters, including Liverpool.

But if Jurgen Klopp does fancy a summer approach for Wirtz, he may have to pay 86 per cent more than he would have a year earlier. As per CIES Football Observatory, which uses a stringent and precise economic calculation model, the player is currently worth £100.5m.

Last summer, he was valued at £54m although he was yet to reach the extra levels he has shown this season. Wirtz has registered all but two of his 20 goal contributions from his central attacking role, although has the ability to play on the flank.

One consideration for Klopp will be his injury history. He made his way back from a long-term cruciate ligament injury at the start of last season but has also picked up seven other separate small setbacks since his rise through club ranks.

There is also the debate whether Liverpool need to spend such a large amount on an attacking midfielder. During the last window, Liverpool did in the end manage to stock up on much-needed midfield targets after it became clear that Jude Bellingham only had eyes for Real Madrid.

Dominik Szoboszlai has perhaps been the stand out summer recruit while Wataru Endo’s exit to the Asian Cup is disappointing for Reds fans given his recent uptick in form. Ryan Gravenberch is starting to gain momentum while Alexis MacAllister is now back from injury.

All the while, Liverpool await the long-term comeback of Stefan Bajcetic, who showed his quality last season as Curtis Jones pushes his way into becoming a regular starter.

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Liverpool have waited a long time to be able to call upon either Thiago or Stefan Bajcetic, but the end may finally be in sight should training returns go to plan.

Jurgen Klopp has not been able to call upon Thiago since April of last year, with a hip injury needing surgery, which was then followed by a series of setbacks.

It was an issue that the Spaniard had predicted for himself, such is his style of play, but he could be getting closer to playing a part this season – and the same could be said for Bajcetic.

The young midfielder has featured twice in 2023/24 but has not been seen in the last 22 games, though the club have a plan to reintroduce them into training in February.

“They will not be ready for the end of this month. It will probably be going into the next month to train with us,” assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders said of the club’s plan.

“But both [with] no complications, progressing.”

It is at least positive news, unlike that of the recent blow for Trent Alexander-Arnold, though we still have some time to wait before they return to full training and then competitive action.

A return to full team training will be a boost not only for them but the entire squad, from there they will need to adjust and train without issue before making a competitive outing.

This could be late February or even into March, a lot will depend on their fitness, stamina and how they react to increasing their work load after so long out of the team.

At this stage, though, it can only be seen as a positive, and their returns to training are likely to follow that of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.