Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz is keen on joining Manchester City this summer, despite interest from Liverpool.
Although he doesn’t appear to be an active target for the Reds, journalist Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Liverpool are ‘monitoring’ Wirtz’s situation. They are seemingly big fans of the 20-year-old.
And according to a report from Football Transfers this weekend, so too are Man City. It’s claimed that City rate Wirtz so highly that they are considering him as a potential replacement for the departed Riyad Mahrez.
Pep Guardiola in particular is said to be enthralled by the Germany international’s ‘technical ability and potential.’ With Wirtz reportedly ‘open’ to the move to Manchester, that could spell bad news for Liverpool.
However, it’s claimed that Leverkusen won’t make it easy for any club trying to buy their new No.10. The German side have lost a number of key players this summer. As a result, Wirtz’s price will supposedly be ‘inflated’ to reflect his growing importance to Xabi Alonso.
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City taking a look at Wirtz
If City push hard enough, it feels as though Leverkusen will eventually buckle and sell Wirtz. They may have just given him the No.10 shirt, but they have a quite specific business model. Should a good enough offer come in, you’d imagine they wouldn’t stand in the youngster’s way.
Nevertheless, City have just spent almost £80m on Josko Gvardiol. They may be one of the very richest clubs in the world, but they don’t tend to make enormous signings side by side.
And given his importance to Leverkusen, and his potential, it would surely have to be a pretty huge offer.
Alonso already called Wirtz ‘extraordinary’ back in January [Suddeutsche Zeitung]. Before a bad knee injury in 2022, he had looked set to take Europe by storm. Since returning last season, the old signs have been there for all to see. This boy is special.
As for Liverpool, Romano told his YouTube channel in March that Klopp really does like the forward.
“The situation of Liverpool is one to watch, because Liverpool are monitoring the player,” said the journalist. “I’m told that Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a big fan of Florian Wirtz, and so they’re among many clubs who are monitoring this player.”
If City leave him alone, maybe this is one to keep an eye on for next summer.