Man City turn attention to new signing after crushing transfer blow – sources
Pep Guardiola is looking elsewhere for a superstar playmaker this summer with Florian Wirtz likely to turn down a move to Manchester City, sources have told Football Insider.
Kevin De Bruyne’s confirmed depature from the Etihad Stadium at season’s end will leave Man City in need of a new midfield metronome this summer, and Wirtz was one option who fitted the bill.
However, sources have told Football Insider that Wirtz’s preference if he does leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer would be to join newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich over a move to City.
Former Man United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that City are “hell-bent” on beating Bayern to Wirtz’s signature, but, with a fee well in excess of £100million required, they could be stretched to the limit.
Football Insider sources have said that City are turning their attention to an alternative number 10 to replace De Bruyne if, as expected, they now lose out on “dream signing” Wirtz.
Man City still on the hunt to identify De Bruyne successor
De Bruyne’s exit from Man City could open the door for Phil Foden to take up the Belgian’s mantle this summer, but Guardiola’s fondness of Wirtz suggests they’ll be on the hunt for a new playmaker.
Sources have told Football Insider that even if Wirtz can be tempted to make a move away from the Bundesliga, the likely fee of over £100m could also see City explore cheaper alternatives in his position.
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has also been heavily linked as a potential successor to De Bruyne and City are ready to sound out the attacking midfielder.
Man City transfer task grows after Wirtz decision
Wirtz’s price tag of £128m at Leverkusen isn’t insurmountable for City, but with a squad-wide rebuild on the cards at the Etihad this summer, Guardiola could be hesitant to shell out such a fee on a single player.
City’s former financial advisor Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider last month that Forest may demand over £100m for Gibbs-White’s signature themselves, and that could leave the Blues in a bind.
Gibbs-White has dragged his side to the precipice of Champions League football this season, but as City and other sides around them pick up form, Forest may be forced to sell their prize playmaker to appease PSR if they fail to reach the promised land.