Exclusive with Graeme Bailey.
Manchester City are pushing to bring Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The upcoming weeks will be emotional for many fans of the Manchester club as Man City fans will have to say goodbye to Kevin De Bruyne, as the legendary midfielder is set to bring his 10-year spell with the Premier League giants to a close at the end of the season.
The blow of losing the Belgian may be softened should City sign Wirtz to replace the 33-year-old, as the German star is considered one of the brightest talents in Europe.
Wirtz is Man City’s top target ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, and Manchester City News understands that Pep Guardiola is breaking his own rules when it comes to the transfer, as the City boss is getting hands-on with the deal.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Florian Wirtz is Pep Guardiola’s dream signing for Man City
Man City will not give up in the race for Wirtz as the Premier League club faces tough competition from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid for the German’s signature.
Manchester City News’ transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has provided an update on Man City’s pursuit of Wirtz, with the Bayer Leverkusen star believed to be City’s dream replacement for De Bruyne.
More Man City News
“Florian Wirtz is Manchester City’s dream summer signing, I am even told that if Jamal Musiala had not signed his new deal and been available, Wirtz would still be the one,” Bailey told Manchester City News.
“Pep Guardiola is fascinated with the player, and that is playing a part in their pursuit. Pep does not get hands-on with transfers and contracts as a rule, but I am told he has helped City make a play for Wirtz – he knows he could build his next team around him.
“And most importantly for City, Wirtz and his family, like Guardiola, they respect him and are listening to the project and what the prospect of playing in England sounds like.”
This decision is a huge one for the family to make as Wirtz’s parents want him to remain in Germany, while his girlfriend is keen on moving to Manchester.
The family met with Man City this week to discuss the potential transfer, and the outcome is good news for fans of the Manchester club.
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
Man City’s meeting with Florian Wirtz goes to plan
As Man City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid continue to push for Wirtz, the family were in Manchester this week to hear from the Premier League club, and Bailey has told Manchester City News that the meeting went to plan for the Manchester outfit.
“Wirtz’s family met with City this week and I am told things went well,” Bailey said.
“City do not comment on other clubs, but they are not shocked to hear Bayern Munich’s confidence or that Real Madrid are involved – they are used to it, they often compete with the same clubs for players, but they have not allowed ‘the noise’ – as it has been described to me, put them off”
“Wirtz is a generational player. The belief at Man City is that he has the ceiling to be every bit as good as De Bruyne.”
The coming weeks will indicate where Wirtz is leaning towards continuing his career, with the process expected to speed up once the Bundesliga concludes this weekend.