Manchester City are poised to make waves in the transfer market, setting their sights on Bayer Leverkusen’s prodigious attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz in a deal that could shatter the British transfer record. The 22-year-old German star has emerged as the cornerstone of City’s plans to reshape their squad, particularly as they prepare for life without their talismanic playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract expires in June. A dramatic twist in the transfer saga has intensified the race for Wirtz’s signature, with City now locked in a fierce battle against Bayern Munich and Liverpool, signaling an audacious statement of intent from the Premier League giants.
Wirtz, widely regarded as one of Europe’s brightest talents, has been a revelation at Leverkusen, where his blend of vision, agility, and goal-scoring prowess has drawn comparisons to De Bruyne himself. This season alone, he has notched an impressive 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, cementing his status as the ideal candidate to fill the void left by City’s departing maestro. Pep Guardiola, City’s mastermind manager, has personally championed Wirtz as his top target, viewing him as the orchestrator who can seamlessly integrate into the team’s fluid, possession-based system. “He’s the right age, and he can definitely do it in the Premier League,” said Keith Wyness, a former Everton CEO turned football consultant, highlighting the confidence in Wirtz’s ability to thrive in England’s top flight.
The transfer saga took a surprising turn when reports of Wirtz agreeing personal terms with Bayern Munich were swiftly debunked by his father, Hans Wirtz. This opened the door for City to escalate their pursuit, with club officials reportedly meeting Wirtz and his parents in Manchester to discuss a potential move to the Etihad Stadium. Leverkusen, keen to avoid strengthening a direct Bundesliga rival like Bayern, are said to prefer a deal with City, provided the price is right. The German club has slapped a staggering €150 million (£126 million) valuation on their star, a figure that would eclipse the £100 million City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021, their current record transfer. Wyness suggested the deal could climb even higher, noting, “It’s going to be over £100million plus bonuses, which could take it towards the £125million mark by the time he plays those games.”
City’s aggressive push comes at a critical juncture. After a season marked by uncharacteristic struggles, including a string of losses that saw them slip behind rivals Liverpool in the Premier League race, Guardiola is determined to refresh his squad. De Bruyne’s departure after a decade of brilliance leaves a gaping hole in City’s midfield, and Wirtz’s ability to operate as a dynamic No. 10 makes him the perfect successor. His knack for exploiting spaces, as demonstrated in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid where he orchestrated a swift attacking move, aligns perfectly with Guardiola’s tactical demands. “What I do is mostly very spontaneous because it appears to be the best solution in that situation,” Wirtz once told a Leverkusen magazine, underscoring his instinctive brilliance on the pitch.
However, City face stiff competition. Bayern Munich, long considered the frontrunners, have offered Wirtz a lucrative €25 million-per-year contract, while Liverpool have also entered the fray, reportedly holding talks with the player’s entourage in a bid to hijack the deal. Real Madrid, under incoming manager Xabi Alonso—Wirtz’s current coach at Leverkusen—are also monitoring the situation, though their interest appears less advanced. Despite Bayern’s financial muscle, Leverkusen’s reluctance to sell to a domestic rival gives City a strategic edge. Sources indicate that City are prepared to sweeten their offer with a cash-plus-player deal, potentially including young star James McAtee, whom Leverkusen have previously targeted.
The stakes are high for City, who see Wirtz as more than just a replacement for De Bruyne but a symbol of their continued dominance. Wyness emphasized the calculated risk, stating, “Man City spent £100million on Grealish, who hasn’t quite worked out the way they hoped. But I think Wirtz is a better gamble.” For Guardiola, securing Wirtz would not only bolster City’s squad but also send a message to rivals that the club remains a magnet for the world’s elite talents. As the summer transfer window approaches, the race for Wirtz promises to be one of the most captivating sagas, with City’s record-breaking ambitions hanging in the balance.
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