Manchester City are reportedly willing to break the bank to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Florian Wirtz, eyed as Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term replacement.
Wirtz, one of Europe’s most coveted talents, has attracted interest from top clubs, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid.
According to Sky Germany, City view Wirtz as the ideal candidate to fill De Bruyne’s shoes, particularly with the 33-year-old midfielder struggling with fitness issues and potentially joining Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia next summer.
Bayern have already initiated talks with Wirtz’s camp, signalling their intent to make a significant move. However, Wirtz prefers to stay in the Bundesliga for a few more seasons, believing a stint at Bayern will aid his development.
Leverkusen prefer to sell Wirtz abroad, aiming for a record transfer fee of around £75m, potentially including bonus payments or player swaps. Bayern may offer young talent Paul Wanner as part of the deal.
With several European giants vying for Wirtz’s signature, negotiations are expected to involve significant financial outlays and strategic planning.
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