Real Madrid eye blockbuster move for Florian Wirtz as replacement for Luka Modric | OneFootball

Real Madrid are plotting an ambitious move for Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz, who has been touted for a big-money exit from BayArena next summer.

According to AS, the European champions have identified Wirtz as an ideal replacement for club stalwart Luka Modric, whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

Madrid have been monitoring Wirtz’s development over the years and are preparing to make a blockbuster move for the German international, although he will not come cheap.

According to the report, Leverkusen have slapped a mammoth €150 million valuation on their prized jewel and will only consider bids that are in the region of their asking price.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with an exit after Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga triumph last season, but their outrageous asking price put off potential suitors.

So far, Madrid have shown no willingness to match Leverkusen’s demands. They’re willing to play the long game even though Wirtz’s contract at the BayArena runs until the summer of 2027.

The German is seen as the ideal replacement for Modric, who is set to call time on his illustrious career at Santiago Bernabeu after 12 years of service to Los Blancos.

Modric was strongly linked with a move to the Middle East last summer but ended up pledging his allegiance to the Spanish Juggernauts for one more year.

The 39-year-old has played a bit-part role for Los Blancos this season, starting in just five of his 12 appearances across all competitions and returning three assists.

With the former Tottenham Hotspur maestro set to drop the curtain on his time in the Spanish capital, Wirtz has been placed firmly at the top of Madrid’s wishlist.

However, 15-time Champions League winners will face serious competition from Manchester City, who are also known admirers of the Leverkusen playmaker.

The Premier League champions view the German as a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract runs out at the end of the season and is a target for the Saudi Pro League.