Manchester City is preparing a significant move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz as they look to secure a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.
According to reports, Pep Guardiola has identified the 21-year-old German playmaker as a priority signing for the summer of 2025, with City ready to compete with Real Madrid in what could be a high-stakes transfer battle.
Kevin De Bruyne, a club legend since joining in 2015, is nearing the end of his cycle at Manchester City. At 33 years old, the Belgian midfielder has received lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer. While his contributions have been immense, City is planning for the future, and Guardiola is eager to bring in a world-class attacking midfielder to fill De Bruyne’s shoes.
Wirtz has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Since joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, he has developed into a top-tier playmaker in the Bundesliga. This season alone, Wirtz has scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists in 34 matches across all competitions. His creativity, vision, and technical ability make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s system at Manchester City.Guardiola has reportedly been tracking Wirtz closely and views him as a player who can lead City’s midfield for years to come. Sources suggest that City is prepared to offer around £115 million (€130 million) to secure his services, though Bayer Leverkusen may demand closer to €150 million.
Real Madrid poses a significant challenge to Manchester City’s pursuit of Wirtz. The Spanish giants are in the process of assembling their next “Galacticos” team and see Wirtz as a key component of their future plans. The prospect of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu is believed to be highly tempting for the German international, making Madrid a formidable competitor in this transfer race.
Despite Real Madrid’s interest, Manchester City remains confident in their ability to land Wirtz. Guardiola’s reputation and tactical system are seen as major draws for the young midfielder. Additionally, City’s financial resources position them well to meet Bayer Leverkusen’s demands.
This potential transfer comes amid City’s broader plans to revamp their squad for sustained success. Guardiola has emphasized the need for players who can contribute over the next four to five years, and Wirtz fits that profile perfectly. With De Bruyne nearing the twilight of his career and other midfield options aging or moving on, securing Wirtz would be a statement signing for the Premier League champions.
Florian Wirtz represents both the future of Manchester City’s midfield and a continuation of their dominance under Pep Guardiola. However, with Real Madrid also vying for his signature, City faces stiff competition in what could become one of the most high-profile transfers of 2025. For now, all eyes are on whether Guardiola can persuade the German starlet to choose Manchester over Madrid.