Man City lead race for Florian Wirtz despite competition from Bayern, Real Madrid
Manchester City are reportedly in pole position to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Premier League champions are confident of beating off strong competition from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
According to Give Me Sport, City hold a crucial advantage in the pursuit of the 21-year-old, who is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian midfielder is expected to leave the Etihad this summer as a free agent, prompting City to move swiftly to secure a successor.
While Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are both keen on signing the German international, Leverkusen are reportedly reluctant to strengthen a direct domestic rival, potentially boosting City’s chances.
Leverkusen are likely to demand a fee in the region of £100 million ($128m).
Liverpool and Real Madrid also remain interested, with hopes that Xabi Alonso, tipped to become Madrid’s next manager, could play a key role in luring Wirtz to the Spanish capital.
Currently, Wirtz is sidelined with a ligament injury sustained during Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash with Werder Bremen.
Despite the setback, his long-term value remains undiminished and he is expected to be one of the marquee names in the upcoming transfer window.
