Florian Wirtz was Man City’s top target heading into the summer transfer window.
The German talent is one of the most sought-after players in Europe, and with the midfielder expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer, Man City saw Wirtz as the perfect replacement for the departing Kevin De Bruyne.
The race looked like it would be between the Manchester club and Bayern Munich, however, City were left stunned when Liverpool joined the race for Wirtz.
Following the Reds’ arrival, Man City pulled out of the running for the Bayer Leverkusen star, and it has now been revealed how the 22-year-old really felt about a move to the Etihad Stadium.
Florian Wirtz was not keen on a move to Man City
Liverpool are now closing in on the signing of Wirtz, with The Telegraph’s Paul Joyce reporting that the Reds have submitted a club-record £109m bid for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
The reliable Liverpool journalist has also revealed what happened between Man City and the German star, with the midfielder said to not have fancied a move to Manchester.
Joyce wrote: “City pulled out, citing the cost of the deal could reach £250m when everything is included. However, they have previously sanctioned the signings of Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish, and it is believed that Wirtz was not keen on a move to The Etihad.”
This is a huge blow to City as it has become clear in recent weeks that Anfield is the destination most players want to move to at present, given the trajectory of the Merseyside club under Arne Slot’s leadership, having just won the Premier League.
There are also other reasons why Wirtz may have turned down a move to Man City, as there is uncertainty around the long-term future of Pep Guardiola, while nobody knows what is going to happen with the Manchester club’s charges.
Man City have already moved on from their Wirtz decision as Guardiola is pushing for two other targets to replace De Bruyne in his squad.
The latest on Man City’s search for a new number 10
Man City have two targets they want to bring to the Etihad Stadium this summer to strengthen Guardiola’s number ten options: Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
It was reported on Thursday that Man City have begun talks with Cherki to see what it would take to get a deal done ahead of the new season. The French star is one of the most exciting talents in Europe, and the 21-year-old will only get better under Guardiola’s watch.
As for Gibbs-White, Man City have already begun the process to sign the Nottingham Forest star, however, the Manchester club are not keen on paying the £100m fee their Premier League rivals want for the Englishman.
City will continue to negotiate with Forest over a deal in the coming weeks, as Guardiola sets about trying to revamp his midfield so he can challenge Liverpool next season.
