Manchester City will be stepping back from a deal to sign Florian Wirtz despite early interest in the midfield star
Comments
Sport
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Image: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
Manchester City have cooled interest in midfielder Florian Wirtz amid price concerns as they try to plot the midfield that can win back the Premier League. Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz had been identified as a player who can become one of the best in the world, but amid a battle with Bayern Munich to sign him City have stepped back.
That puts Bayern in pole position to sign the German international, while Liverpool have also been credited with an interest. City have a longstanding history of walking away from top transfer targets if they do not feel like the proposed deals represent value for money, although it leaves them with work to do as they look to give Pep Guardiola the midfield he needs to improve the squad next season.
Kevin De Bruyne is definitely leaving the club this summer after ten years. The Belgian is no longer at the peak of his powers, but it will be a tough ask for City to find players who are capable of coming close to the talent that he did possess.
Wirtz had been one of the main candidates for this but City will now look elsewhere. AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders is admired, and Morgan Giggs-White at Nottingham Forest is also seen as a player that can come in and improve the midfield.
Ilkay Gundogan has triggered a one-year extension in his deal that ties him to the club until 2026 and Bernardo Silva is also under contract until then. Both midfielders are likely to stay, although there has not been a guarantee with either.
James McAtee was pushed closer to the exit door on Saturday as he was surprisingly left out of the FA Cup final squad. The youngster has 12 months remaining on his current deal and there have not been talks on a new contract.
Article continues below
Guardiola suggested after that game that the club were on track with their summer plans as they look to rejuvenate a squad that has looked tired this season. As the manager focuses on the final week of this campaign, there are already plans in place for the next one.
"After nine years we have already rebuilt. You are not the same players as when you arrive," said Guardiola.
"I think the club has ideas and, from my point of view, now we have two massive important games for the short future for this club. After, we take a break, go to the Club World Cup and the club will take the decisions they have to take."
---
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
Article continues below
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
*And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.*