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Florian Wirtz’s saga has just taken another turn after it emerged that Liverpool were concrete candidates to land the German international last week.
Developments began with Manchester City formally expressing interest in Wirtz as a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, while Liverpool emerged as surprise contenders after hosting the player’s representatives for talks.
This flurry of activity contradicted earlier assumptions that Bayern Munich held pole position.
Florian Wirtz has established himself as one of Europe’s most coveted young talents following a stellar season with Bayer Leverkusen.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who has collected 29 caps for Germany, played an instrumental role in Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-24, earning himself the league’s Player of the Season award.
His impressive stats of 16 goals and 15 assists across all competitions this season has only intensified interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
However, BBC have now reported that Manchester City have now pulled out for the deal.
It’s believed that City do not want to make the financial investment it will take to pry Wirtz out of Bayer Leverkusen.
Senior reporter Sami Mokbel has revealed:
“BBC Sport understands Pep Guardiola’s side are withdrawing their initial interest in the German international owing to the soaring costs of any deal.”
“It is estimated that an agreement to sign the 22-year-old would represent the biggest deal in City’s history, potentially reaching as much as 300m euros inclusive of transfer fees and wages.”
He adds that Pep Guardiola’s side will still be in the market for creative options with Morgan Gibbs-White a frontrunner:
“Wirtz is not expected to arrive. City will remain in the market for a new creative midfielder – with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White among the options.”
According to German outlet Kicker, Liverpool have now submitted a preliminary offer for Wirtz, though the details remain undisclosed.
The Reds have already agreed to sign Wirtz’s Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong as a replacement for the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold, potentially paving the way for a double raid on the German champions.
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