Last month, we covered claims from Germany that Bayern Munich have to watch out for Manchester City in the chase for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz in the summer window.
At the weekend, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro told Sky Deutschland that there’s a “very high probability” of Wirtz staying at the club next season.
Kicker point that out and give their take on the Bundesliga club’s stance as Manchester City and Bayern Munich show interest in the 21-year-old.
Bayer Leverkusen need clarity on Wirtz’s situation. The two parties have already agreed for an extension until 2028, but he hasn’t signed it yet.
The report states the attacking midfielder has to extend the contract to continue at the club next season. Parallelly, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are vying a move for him and Real Madrid could join the battle if they appoint Xabi Alonso.
Carro claims there’s “no pain threshold” for the Germany international and this indicates Bayer Leverkusen are well position to retain him over Alonso.
Kicker adds the German champions would prefer prioritising their sporting ambition over economic interest. They would also prefer to avoid Wirtz’s sale to Bayern Munich, who are their domestic competitor. This suggests a sale to Manchester City or Real Madrid could be favoured.
Over at Bild, they look at scenarios with regards to Wirtz’s future. This includes staying at Bayer Leverkusen or one of Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
If he continues until the end of next season without an extension, it would be cheaper for Bayern Munich to sign him in 2026.
With regards to Manchester City, Bild claim Pep Guardiola is a fan of the player and wants him ‘at all costs’. The manager may like him to replace Kevin De Bruyne at the Etihad next season.
It would make ‘double sense’ for Bayer Leverkusen to sell him to the Citizens, considering the English club could pay a hefty fee [€150m] and Bayern would miss out on the dream target.
Manchester City have to convince both Wirtz and Bayer Leverkusen to secure his services in the next window.
