Florian Wirtz may not be moving to Bayern Munich after all, with Man City reportedly trying to ‘hijack’ the summer transfer.
The 22-year-old is widely expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen in a mega money deal this year after establishing himself as one of the most exciting young attackers in European football.
Wirtz was the star player in Leverkusen’s undefeated Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023/24, contributing 22 goal involvements (11G, 11A) in the league that season. Although the club will end this term without any silverware, he has continued his fine form, registering the same number of goal contributions (10G, 12A) in fewer league appearances.
Florian Wirtz transfer to Bayern ‘hijacked’ by Man City
Bayern had emerged as the most likely destination for the playmaker if he were to leave Die Werkself, with multiple reports in Germany recently claiming that the move was practically a done deal.
However, it now turns out that may not be the case, with Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reporting that both Leverkusen and Wirtz are “irritated” by such reports and his future remains “uncertain”.
The report claims Leverkusen are yet to receive any offers for the player, who has a contract until 2027 which includes a release clause worth €125 million.
That fact alone may put Bayern out of the running for his signature, and open the door to a Premier League club, with both Manchester City and Liverpool linked with a move.
Indeed, City have “made an offer” to “try to hijack” Bayern’s deal for Wirtz, according to BILD journalist Christian Falk.
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With Bayern potentially sidelined in the race for the Germany international, City have spied an opportunity to gazump the Bundesliga champions.
It’s said that Pep Guardiola views Wirtz as a successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who will leave the Premier League outfit at the end of this season when his contract expires.
Wirtz last week admitted in an interview with Sports Illustrated earlier leaving his “comfort zone at some point and experience something new” would appeal to him.
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