Manchester City will need to shatter their transfer record if they hope to secure the services of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. A report from Germany indicates that the Bundesliga side has set a high asking price for their prized playmaker, who is regarded as one of the most gifted attacking midfielders in the world.
At just 21 years old, Wirtz has demonstrated exceptional form, registering 15 goals and 12 assists across 34 appearances this season. Despite Leverkusen experiencing a dip in performance as a team, the talented German has continued to shine. His consistency and output have attracted interest from top European clubs, with Real Madrid frequently linked to him. Meanwhile, City have reportedly been monitoring him closely for an extended period.
Guardiola’s interest and potential transfer fee
City manager Pep Guardiola has long been an admirer of Wirtz and was eager to bring him to the Etihad Stadium in January. The club remains committed to strengthening its squad, with Wirtz seen as a key addition. According to German outlet BILD, Guardiola is determined to make the midfielder a focal point of City’s next phase of squad evolution.
Leverkusen are attempting to extend Wirtz’s current contract by another year, although negotiations have yet to reach a final agreement. If a new deal is signed, it is expected to include a release clause of €125m (£104m), but this clause would only take effect in the summer of 2026. Without an extension, Leverkusen would demand at least €150m (£125m) for their star, despite his existing contract running until 2027.
City’s spending strategy and transfer balancing act
If City were to meet Leverkusen’s valuation, it would surpass the club’s record £100m fee paid for Jack Grealish in 2021. While City have invested heavily in transfers, Guardiola has often emphasized that their spending has been counterbalanced by significant player sales.
Maintaining that financial approach could be crucial should City move for Wirtz. The club already spent around £180m on five permanent signings in the January window, meaning further departures might be necessary before committing to another blockbuster deal. Whether City make a decisive move in the coming months remains to be seen, but securing Wirtz would require a major financial commitment.
