Manchester City prepare £100m move for German wonderkid | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz: Manchester City’s £100m Midfield Gamble in Post-De Bruyne Era

Wirtz Identified as De Bruyne’s Heir

Manchester City are ready to enter another summer transfer saga, this time with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz in their crosshairs. The Mirror reports that Pep Guardiola’s side have made the 21-year-old German international their top target, as Kevin De Bruyne prepares to leave the club at the end of the season. City have opted not to renew the Belgian’s deal, reportedly because of their belief that they can secure Wirtz—regardless of the Bundesliga champions’ reluctance, report The Mirror.

“City are ready to spend whatever it takes to rebuild Guardiola’s squad after committing more than £170million on three new players during the winter transfer window,” the report states. “Wirtz is the No 1 target after the Etihad club decided against handing De Bruyne a new deal.”

Photo: IMAGO

Hugo Viana’s First Test in New Role

Incoming director of football Hugo Viana—set to replace Txiki Begiristain—is expected to spearhead the negotiations with Leverkusen. The former Sporting Lisbon man inherits a lofty first assignment, similar in scope to when City activated Jack Grealish’s £100m release clause in 2021. As per the Mirror, “Viana will be tasked with making the deal happen – and will be armed with enough cash to tempt Leverkusen.”

If City match or exceed the £100m fee reportedly required, they’ll also offer Wirtz a considerable bump on his current £73,000-a-week salary. It’s a declaration of intent from Guardiola and City’s hierarchy, who are planning their next midfield evolution with bold decisiveness.

Transfer Tug-of-War with Bundesliga Giants

Leverkusen’s hand isn’t entirely free. Wirtz is under contract until 2027, but the club are pushing for a two-year extension with a £125m release clause—while his advisers favour a clause nearer £85m post-World Cup. Bayern Munich are also interested, although City reportedly believe Leverkusen would prefer their star to exit German football entirely.

Photo: IMAGO

“Wirtz’s deal in Leverkusen still has two years to run – but the club are desperate to convince him to sign a new contract with both City and Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich circling.”

Xabi Alonso’s side may struggle to resist the financial muscle of English champions, particularly after a string of disappointing recent results that include Champions League and German Cup exits.

Replacing a Premier League Icon

Replacing Kevin De Bruyne is no minor detail. The Belgian playmaker has defined an era at the Etihad. But Guardiola’s backing of Wirtz suggests faith in the next generation: a dynamic creator who’s already delivered 15 goals and 13 assists this term, despite now being sidelined with an ankle injury.

“The fact that he has been identified by Guardiola to replace a midfield playmaker who has become a Premier League legend over the last decade will also be a factor.”

City have always been proactive in succession planning. But £100m? For a 21-year-old recovering from injury, in a World Cup season, from a team on the slide? That’s a different sort of bet entirely.

Our View – EPL Index

If you’re a City fan, this is the kind of headline that gets the blood pumping. Losing Kevin De Bruyne is never going to feel right—he’s the defining midfield presence of the Premier League era. But the club isn’t sitting still. Going after Florian Wirtz shows intent, ambition, and a touch of Guardiola’s vision for reinvention.

That said, the concerns are real. Dropping nine figures on a player who’s just picked up an ankle injury? Just ahead of a World Cup? Risky. But Wirtz isn’t just any youngster—he’s Germany’s crown jewel. If Hugo Viana can pull this off as his first move, it’s a statement both to fans and rivals that City aren’t fading, they’re evolving.

The idea of Bayern also lurking is nerve-racking, but let’s be honest: if anyone can outbid and outmanoeuvre Bayern in today’s market, it’s Manchester City. As long as the club structure remains intact, and the recruitment is bold but measured, fans will back it.

Wirtz may not be De Bruyne—yet. But there’s every chance he becomes the next great Etihad icon.