Just when it seemed like Bayern Munich were cruising toward another major signing, Manchester City have jumped into the mix, hoping to pull off a dramatic swoop for Florian Wirtz, one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
With Kevin De Bruyne set to leave the Etihad this summer, Pep Guardiola is actively searching for a new midfield maestro—and he’s got his eyes firmly fixed on Bayer Leverkusen’s 22-year-old star.
Wirtz: The Crown Jewel of Leverkusen’s Historic Season
Wirtz has been nothing short of phenomenal this season under Xabi Alonso, playing a central role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign and helping them secure the DFB-Pokal as well.
His numbers speak for themselves—16 goals and 13 assists in 44 matches—and his performances have made him one of the most in-demand players in world football.
With Alonso leaving for Real Madrid and other key teammates like Jeremie Frimpong heading to Liverpool, it’s clear Leverkusen’s squad could face a serious shake-up.
Bayern Line Up €100M Offer While City Go Straight to the Source
According to Bild, Bayern Munich are ready to go all in, reportedly lining up a €100 million (£84.7m) bid to secure Wirtz and bring him to the Allianz Arena.
But Manchester City aren’t just sitting back—they’re said to have already submitted a concrete offer to Leverkusen themselves.
Even more intriguing? Pep Guardiola has reportedly spoken to Wirtz directly, signaling just how serious City are about bringing him to Manchester.
City’s Slipping Standards Fuel Urgency in the Market
It hasn’t been the most consistent season for City.
Despite reaching the FA Cup final and still being in the top three of the Premier League, a rocky winter spell with just one win in nine league games dented their usual dominance.
That dip in form has triggered a more proactive approach in the transfer market.
After years of being quiet in the January window, City have already invested in players like Aboukir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis this season.
Wirtz, though, would be their marquee signing—and a clear statement of intent for the seasons ahead.
Wirtz Isn’t Tied to Anyone Yet
Despite the flurry of interest, Wirtz himself has not agreed to a deal with any club yet.
He’s still under contract at Leverkusen until 2027, and he seems to be taking a thoughtful approach, open to discussions but not rushing into any commitments.
Leverkusen, understandably, are holding out for a hefty fee—reportedly €150 million (£126.2m)—and they’re in no mood to let their midfield gem go on the cheap.
Germany’s Rising Star With Huge Expectations
With 29 caps for Germany and six goals already under his belt, Wirtz is being groomed as the future face of German football.
His composure, creativity, and football IQ make him stand out—even among Europe’s elite.
It’s no wonder then that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, now on Bayern’s supervisory board, has been so vocal about the club’s determination to land Wirtz.
Bayern’s Leadership Makes Wirtz a Top Priority
In fact, Rummenigge made it clear in a recent interview that signing Wirtz is a major objective for Bayern.
“It must clearly be our goal to sign Wirtz,” he said, emphasizing that the plan isn’t about weakening rivals like Leverkusen but about strengthening Bayern’s own squad.
Even Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has weighed in, praising Wirtz’s talent but admitting that the financial side of the deal could pose challenges.
The Transfer Tug-of-War Is Heating Up
With two of Europe’s biggest clubs now battling it out, the race for Florian Wirtz is officially on.
Bayern may have looked like early favorites, but Manchester City’s late push—complete with personal pitches from Guardiola—could change the game entirely.
Now, all eyes are on Leverkusen and Wirtz himself to see who wins this high-stakes tug-of-war.