Exclusive: Man City serious about landing Liverpool, Arsenal-linked star as Guardiola plots three marquee signings
Manchester City are big admirers of Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz and are seriously planning an offer for him despite his transfer links with Liverpool and Arsenal, TEAMtalk understands.
The attacking midfielder enjoyed a solid campaign in 2021-22, notching 10 goals and 14 assists to help Leverkusen finish third in the Bundesliga and reach the Europa League round of 16.
However, his season was unfortunately ended early by an ACL rupture in March last year.
Wirtz returned for Leverkusen in January and has registered four assists in his last nine league outings.
His contract at the Bay Arena runs until June 2027. However, Leverkusen are at risk of missing out on European competition altogether next season as they sit eighth in the table currently. This failure to qualify for the Champions League or Europa League could see Wirtz’s agent push for a transfer.
And with the exciting 19-year-old regarded as one of the best young players in Europe, he will not be short of interest.
On Wednesday, 90Min detailed Arsenal’s interest in Wirtz. Soon after, though, Fabrizio Romano revealed Jurgen Klopp to be ‘a big fan’ of him, setting up a potential move to Liverpool.
TEAMtalk has now been told that Man City are seriously looking at Wirtz as a potential summer recruit.
Florian Wirtz wanted amid City midfield overhaul
Pep Guardiola will be in need of a midfield overhaul if Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Kalvin Phillips all depart the Etihad. City are planning for life without that trio, and Wirtz is one player who will be targeted as a replacement.
Guardiola wants three marquee signings this summer, with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice towards the top of his wish list. But a move for Wirtz should not be discounted, as City like him a lot.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Transfer Gossip includes Leeds United preparing to swoop in for a City player.
