The race for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is starting to heat up.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest talents in European football, hence why Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are all working to try and bring the midfielder to their clubs this summer.
A twist emerged on Wednesday as Liverpool entered the race for Wirtz, but it remains to be seen if the Reds are serious about signing the Bayer Leverkusen star, as the Bundesliga club are demanding £126m for their star man.
Man City are in a good position to land their top target this summer, however, the Manchester club face a big issue that could cost them in the end.
Bayern Munich remain a big problem for Man City in Florian Wirtz race
For most German players, Bayern Munich is the pinnacle of the sport, and the Bavarian giants remain a big problem for Man City, reports Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol.
“Man City are not giving up on trying to sign him,” Solhekol said about City’s interest in Wirtz. “I think the issue they have is convincing him that he is better off moving to Man City rather than going to Bayern Munich.
“I think one of the things that is in Manchester City’s favour is that Bayer Leverkusen would prefer to do business with Manchester City; they would much rather he moved to Man City and the Premier League, than if he stayed in Germany and the Bundesliga and moved to their big rivals, Bayern Munich.”
Wirtz’s father is keen for him to move to Bayern Munich this summer, although his girlfriend is more open to the idea of moving to Manchester for the next part of the midfielder’s career.
Wirtz is a dream signing for Pep Guardiola, with the Man City boss breaking his own rules just to land the player as the legendary coach has become hands-on in the deal, which is something he very rarely does.
It remains to be seen if the Manchester club can get a deal over the line, as Man City do not plan on giving up, but there is another advantage they have over the other interested parties: money.
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Money is not an issue for Man City in Florian Wirtz pursuit
Since the takeover, money has never been an issue for Man City, although the Manchester club have not spent recklessly and have only made additions to their squad if it makes sense.
Wirtz is expected to cost around £126m this summer, which is an issue for Bayern Munich and Liverpool, which hands Man City an advantage, Christian Falk has told The Anfield Wrap.
The BILD reporter stated: “The big question is, Leverkusen would prefer to sell him to England, not to a rival like Bayern Munich, and when you talk about Manchester City, you know, money is not the thing that makes Pep Guardiola say: ‘we won’t get the player’.”
Signing Wirtz is unlikely to come down to money, but it may prove to be a factor, as City can give Leverkusen what they are asking for and sweeten the deal by offering the German star a bigger wage package than the others.
With the Bundesliga ending this weekend, a decision on the 22-year-old’s future is set to come soon, and everyone at Man City hopes to see him in sky blue next season.
