Florian Wirtz: ‘Favourites’ named in Man City signing race
Bayern Munich are the favourites to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz amid interest from Man City, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the world’s best clubs are keeping close tabs on the German should he leave Leverkusen at the end of the season.
Wirtz, 21, has emerged as an option for Pep Guardiola’s side amid uncertainty over the future of Kevin de Bruyne at the Etihad.
Last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Season helped his side to win the league and DFB Pokal, and reached the Europa League final, establishing himself as one of Europe’s biggest talents.
His current deal with the reigning German champions is set to run until 2027, but there is a growing possibility that he could leave Leverkusen in 2025.
The likes of Man City, Bayern and Real Madrid are all said to be interested in his signature and could push to get a deal over the line at the end of the season.
However, as things stand, the attacking midfielder is thought to be keen on remaining in Germany, with Munich his most likely destination.
Bayern Munich favourites to win race to sign Florian Wirtz ahead of Man City
Wirtz is one of the most highly-rated talents in Europe at the moment following his performances for Leverkusen and Germany in the last year.
Leverkusen’s record-breaking season saw the German shine with 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 games across all competitions landing him several personal accolades.
That form has also carried over into the new season, as he has scored four goals and provided one assist in six Bundesliga games, as well as scoring two in two in the Champions League.
At 21 years old, the attacking midfielder still has room to grow and improve, and City are keen for him to do that under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad.
However, with competition from the world’s biggest clubs, Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich are being heavily tipped to agree the deal ahead of their rivals.
This would see him follow the pathway of many top Bundesliga talents in the past, making the move to the country’s biggest club in search of consistent silverware.
Well-connected transfer expert Mick Brown previously told Football Insider that De Bruyne could be handed a “big” offer from Saudi Arabia, with his City contract in its final year.
The Germany international is among City’s options to replace their star man should he opt to explore the move away, as they eye a superstar replacement.
In other news, our insider shared the real reason the Lucas Paqueta deal fell through.
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