Manchester City’s hopes of landing Bayer Leverkusen star midfielder Florian Wirtz next summer have received a significant boost after the German club’s CEO, Fernando Carro, admitted it would be “difficult” to retain the £124m-rated star.
Wirtz, currently 21 years old, is one of Europe’s most sought-after talents and played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 2023/24 season under Xabi Alonso, helping them secure their first-ever Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal.
Of course, his performances also contributed to Germany’s run to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, with Wirtz scoring twice during the tournament on home soil.
WHAT THE CEO SAID:
Carro recently addressed reports that Wirtz had agreed to extend his contract at the BayArena, clarifying that no new deal has been finalized:
“I would have been happy if it had been true. The club wants him to stay in Leverkusen at least until the 2026 World Cup, so it is sensible to extend the contract.”
However, he acknowledged the growing interest from top European clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, and admitted that keeping Wirtz might prove challenging:
“It will be difficult, we have to be honest. It’s not impossible, but it’s not what we want.”
WHY MAN CITY WANT HIM:
Pep Guardiola reportedly sees Wirtz as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne, whose future at the Etihad remains uncertain. The 33-year-old Belgian’s contract expires at the end of the season, and while there have been hints of a renewal, speculation continues over his next move.
Wirtz’s ability to create and score goals makes him a standout candidate for City’s midfield. In just 13 Bundesliga starts this season, Wirtz has racked up an impressive 14 goal contributions (seven goals and seven assists), underlining his consistency and attacking prowess.
THE COMPETITION:
Manchester City aren’t alone in their admiration for Wirtz. Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the German international closely.
Bayern, managed by former City captain Vincent Kompany, may pose a particular threat, given their dominance in the Bundesliga and Wirtz’s familiarity with the league.
KEEP IN MIND:
City’s pursuit of Wirtz signals a strategic move to future-proof their midfield. With Kevin De Bruyne nearing the twilight of his career, Guardiola appears intent on securing a generational talent capable of filling the void.
However, prying Wirtz away from Leverkusen—especially amid interest from Europe’s elite—won’t come cheap or easy.
Fans will be watching closely as City aim to strengthen their squad and build for a post-De Bruyne era. Whether they can fend off their rivals to land Wirtz remains one of the key transfer sagas to watch in the coming months.
