Manchester City are set for a big summer on the transfer front as they look to reclaim their spot at the top of the game.
The Citizens have already begun on their rebuild by signing the likes of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez and Abdukodir Khusanov – and they’re only just getting started.
With Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City this summer, the club is looking to bring in a replacement, and Florian Wirtz is said to be their top pick.
Now, a report from Germany has claimed that the Citizens have already got the ball rolling in their pursuit of the Bayer Leverkusen star.
READ MORE: Manchester City fans say £50m player must be moved on alongside Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City submit concrete bid for Florian Wirtz
City have now submitted a concrete offer to Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, according to SportBILD.
The report goes on to claim that City boss Pep Guardiola has already spoken with Wirtz himself ‘several times’.
Guardiola is said to be clear in bringing the Germany international in to succeed De Bruyne as his main creative midfielder.
Bayern Munich are reportedly also planning to bid for Wirtz, with a €100million offer said to be on the cards.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen are said to value Wirtz at around €150million (£126million).
While Bayern appeared to be in the ‘driving seat’ for Wirtz’s signature, City’s offer has now set up a ‘poker game’, added the report.
Manchester City mean business
City are clearly not messing around in trying to make sure that this season has been a mere one-off, a blip in a period of unparalleled success.
When it comes to signing players from Bundesliga clubs, Bayern are almost always there or thereabouts.
However, it’s clear to see that Wirtz would be a superb replacement for De Bruyne and, at just 22 years of age, he’s still got many years ahead of him.
Wirtz is a player who has been described by Hansi Flick as “the full package” – as per the Bundesliga website – and his qualities are clear for all to see.
In addition, Leverkusen may well be more inclined to sell Wirtz to a club outside the Bundesliga that won’t compromise their own chances of winning the title.
There are other midfield targets in Guardiola’s sights, of course. City have also been linked with Morgan Gibbs-White, and City have also been linked with Tijjani Reijnders.
