Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, according to [the BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd62jz99jzno). The Citizens believe the numbers involved in the deal are too steep.
City had been monitoring Wirtz as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who is leaving the club this summer after a successful decade at the Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old is one of the most talented midfielders in Europe, having helped Die Werkself claim the domestic double and reach the Europa League final last term.
However, they would spend nearly €300 million when transfer fees, wages, and associated costs are factored in, making it the largest financial outlay in the club’s history. It deterred Man City.
There had been quiet concern that the arrival of Wirtz might have disrupted Phil Foden’s playing time under Guardiola.
Instead, the club appears intent on giving the England international the central role many have long believed he was destined for.
City have not abandoned their search for midfield reinforcements. Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White is among the names on their radar.
There are also rumours of interest in Barcelona star Dani Olmo, even though they should be looking at his underutilised teammate Fermin Lopez.
Meanwhile, Wirtz continues to draw admiration across Europe following a stellar 2024/25 season with Leverkusen, where he bagged 16 goals and 15 assists.
But unless the asking price drops considerably, he will not be swapping the Bundesliga for the blue half of Manchester.
This news leaves Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Premier League champions [Liverpool](https://footballtoday.com/2025/05/14/liverpool-contact-representatives-of-bayer-leverkusen-midfielder-florian-wirtz/) in the race for the Leverkusen star.
The problem is that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell to Bayern, and his parents were seemingly unhappy with the way Bayern made their approach.
The financial outlay may also prove a problem for Liverpool. They have several holes to plug and will not want to commit so much to signing Wirtz.