Manchester City’s ambitions to bolster their midfield for the 2025-26 season have hit a significant roadblock as their pursuit of a key alternative to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has been complicated by rival interest. The Premier League giants, under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, have been actively seeking a creative midfielder to fill the void left by the impending departure of Kevin De Bruyne, whose final home game in a City shirt is set to be against Bournemouth on May 27, 2025. While Wirtz was initially the top target to replace the Belgian maestro, City’s decision to withdraw from that race due to a staggering €300 million price tag, including transfer fees and wages, has forced them to explore other options. However, their latest target, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, is now the subject of a late hijack attempt by Arsenal, threatening to derail City’s carefully laid plans.
The 25-year-old Gibbs-White has emerged as a prime candidate for City, with Guardiola and incoming sporting director Hugo Viana seeing him as a dynamic, cost-effective alternative to Wirtz. The Nottingham Forest star has impressed with his versatility and creativity, making him a strong fit for Guardiola’s system. Sources indicate that Gibbs-White is keen on a move to the Etihad Stadium, drawn by the prospect of working under one of football’s most celebrated managers. “I felt very confident coming into tonight,” Gibbs-White said after a recent match, reflecting the kind of self-assured mentality that has caught City’s attention. His £100 million-plus valuation, while steep, is significantly more manageable than Wirtz’s, and City had been optimistic about securing his signature. However, Arsenal’s late intervention has thrown a wrench into their plans, with the Gunners, fresh off a second-place Premier League finish, looking to bolster their own squad under Mikel Arteta.
City’s transfer strategy has been under intense scrutiny following a disappointing season. After losing the Premier League title to Liverpool and crashing out of the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16 to Real Madrid, the club is determined to rebuild. The FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace further underscored the need for fresh talent, with Guardiola reportedly eyeing four to five additions to restore City’s dominance. The decision to step back from Wirtz was not just financial but also strategic, as reports suggest the 22-year-old German playmaker has his sights set on Liverpool, with personal terms already agreed and negotiations progressing with Leverkusen for a potential £126 million deal. “I think it’s probably more of a case that they know he’s probably going elsewhere,” said transfer insider Pete O’Rourke, commenting on City’s shift away from Wirtz.
With Wirtz likely headed to Anfield, City have pivoted to other targets, including Gibbs-White and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders. However, Arsenal’s interest in Gibbs-White, who has also drawn attention from other top clubs, complicates matters. The Gunners are reportedly making a bold move to tempt the midfielder to north London, capitalizing on their strong season and Arteta’s vision. This development has left City fans frustrated, with some expressing concern that the club’s transfer window could become “a frustrating period for Pep Guardiola” if they fail to secure their top targets.
In addition to Gibbs-White, City have been linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, whose €70 million release clause makes him an attractive option to bolster the attack alongside Erling Haaland. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Dani Olmo has emerged as a “Plan B” option, with a potential €60 million transfer fee that is significantly lower than Wirtz’s or Gibbs-White’s valuations. “City have sort of walked away from that move now, they’ve come out and claimed it was too expensive,” O’Rourke noted, highlighting the club’s pragmatic approach to the market. Olmo, described as a “modern number 10” by insiders, is highly appreciated by Guardiola, and negotiations with Barcelona are reportedly underway.
Despite these setbacks, City remain committed to their rebuild. The club’s financial caution, evident in their £200 million January spending spree, reflects a desire to balance ambition with sustainability. With the summer transfer window approaching, from June 1 to June 10 for the Bundesliga and beyond for the Premier League, City’s hierarchy, led by Viana and Txiki Begiristain, is under pressure to deliver. The potential loss of Gibbs-White to Arsenal would be a bitter blow, but City’s depth of options and Guardiola’s track record suggest they will adapt. As the transfer saga unfolds, fans are left hoping that the club can secure the creative spark needed to reignite their challenge on all fronts.
# Manchester City’s Transfer Hopes Dashed in Pursuit of Florian Wirtz Alternative
## A Shift in Transfer Strategy
Manchester City’s quest to replace Kevin De Bruyne has hit a snag as their pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, a key alternative to Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, faces competition from Arsenal. With De Bruyne set to play his final home game against Bournemouth on May 27, 2025, Pep Guardiola is focused on rebuilding a squad that lost the Premier League title to Liverpool and exited the UEFA Champions League early.
## The Wirtz Withdrawal
City initially targeted Wirtz as De Bruyne’s successor, but the €300 million cost, including transfer fees and wages, proved prohibitive. “I think it’s probably more of a case that they know he’s probably going elsewhere,” said transfer insider Pete O’Rourke, noting Wirtz’s likely move to Liverpool, where personal terms are agreed for a potential £126 million deal. City have since shifted focus to more cost-effective options.
## Gibbs-White: The New Target
Gibbs-White, valued at over £100 million, has emerged as a prime candidate due to his versatility and creativity. “I felt very confident coming into tonight,” Gibbs-White said after a recent match, showcasing the confidence that has drawn City’s interest. However, Arsenal’s late push to sign the 25-year-old for Mikel Arteta’s squad has complicated City’s plans, threatening to derail their transfer strategy.
## A Season of Setbacks
City’s disappointing season, marked by an FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and a Round of 16 Champions League exit to Real Madrid, has heightened the urgency for reinforcements. Guardiola is reportedly seeking four to five signings, with incoming sporting director Hugo Viana leading the charge. The potential loss of Gibbs-White could make this “a frustrating period for Pep Guardiola” if City miss out on key targets.
## Alternative Options
Beyond Gibbs-White, City are exploring Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy (€70 million release clause) and Barcelona’s Dani Olmo (€60 million), the latter a “modern number 10” admired by Guardiola. “City have sort of walked away from that move now, they’ve come out and claimed it was too expensive,” O’Rourke said of the Wirtz pursuit, highlighting City’s pragmatic approach.
## Looking Ahead
With the summer transfer window looming, City’s financial caution—evident in their £200 million January spending—reflects a balance of ambition and sustainability. As negotiations continue for Gibbs-White, Reijnders, and Olmo, City fans await a resolution, hoping Guardiola can secure the creative spark needed to restore the club’s dominance.
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