‘Man City ready sensational new Florian Wirtz move within hours’
Man City are widely reported to have walked away from the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star man Florian Wirtz this summer.
According to the BBC (19 May), City feel the deal – which they estimate to cost around €300million (£252million) including fee and wages – doesn’t provide value for money.
Liverpool are now in pole position to sign the 22-year-old after talks with the player and are now in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen about a sensational club-record deal.
Wirtz is one of Europe’s leading talents and had been identified by City as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne – who is leaving at the end of his contract next month.
But Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Man City are “playing for time” and may come back with a new offer for the Germany international.
Man City ‘playing for time’ in Wirtz race, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed City may be waiting for Champions League qualification before pressing ahead with a move for Wirtz.
City must pick up at least a point in their final game against Fulham on Sunday (25 May) to secure a top-five finish.
Wyness insisted the £252million cost is an “excuse” for Pep Guardiola‘s side and “is not a surprise at all” considering Wirtz’s qualify.
| Appearances (Starts) | 45 (36) |
| Minutes Played | 3392 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 15 |
| Yellow Cards | 8 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It seems like Man City are now making up excuses as to why they didn’t get him.
“If we’re talking the transfer fee plus the total cost of his wages, I think 300million euros is about the level we would’ve expected over a five-year contract.
“That level doesn’t surprise me at all.
“I get the feeling City may be playing for time in terms of Champions League qualification, which is by no means certain.
“We’ll have to see how it pans out. If they qualify, we may see that contract come on the table and Man City come back in the race.
“I do think they are still an option. We’ve got the last game of the season on Sunday, and City may just be playing for time.
“There’s so much at stake ahead of this last Premier League matchday.
“Inside the club at Man City are the only people who will know what is going on.”
Grealish drops Man City bombshell
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (22 May) that Jack Grealish has told friends he does not expect to be at Man City next season.
Grealish has confided to those close to him that he believes he has been “frozen out” by Guardiola because the manager wants him to seek a move.
One huge complication in any exit is the attacking midfielder’s wages, which Football Insider understands to be worth £350,000-a-week.
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