The race to sign Florian Wirtz is on and Manchester City are in the thick of it | OneFootball

One of the biggest names who could be on the move this summer is Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz. The German international’s future is one of the hottest topics in football currently. As it stands the possibility that he could remain at Bayern Leverkusen for next season remains in play. But if he were to seek a move from the Bundesliga club a new report from SPORT BILD indicates that Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will fight it out for his signature. Here is a look at the SPORT BILD report which was relayed by Get Football News Germany (GFNG), which shows that Manchester City are in the thick of the race to sign Wirtz. But they may not be his favoured destination.

The GFNG report indicates that Bayer Leverkusen hasn’t given up hope of signing Florian Wirtz to a contract extension. But if Wirtz were to seek a move from Leverkusen the Bundesliga club would demand a transfer fee of at least €150 million. It is also reported that Wirtz has ranked his three preferred destinations in terms of where he sees the best chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. According to the report Wirtz has ranked the clubs with Real Madrid at number one, Manchester City at two and Bayern Munich at three in that particular category.

It is further reported that Pep Guardiola has met with Florian Wirtz. Guardiola has reportedly outlined his plans for Wirtz and how he’d fit into his squad. Furthermore, the GFNG report states that Manchester City are willing to pay the €150 million asking price to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester City are in the race to sign Florian Wirtz but is full of variables which will dictate who signs him.

There is no doubt that Florian Wirtz would be a tremendous addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. That fact isn’t in question. In fact, that’s not the biggest variable at play in the race to sign the German international. There are many, and you do sense that City will have a fight on their hands to sign arguably the most sought-after player on the transfer market.

The GFNG report indicates that Florian Wirtz’s father would prefer him to sign for Bayern Munich. It is also reported that Bayer Leverkusen do not want to sell their prized asset to a Bundesliga rival. Typically, if Bayern Munich want to sign a young German international they get their way. That’s the first variable in the situation.

Real Madrid loom as the biggest obstacle in City’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz. The GFNG report indicates that there is a possibility that Real Madrid could sign Xabi Alonso as manager if Carlo Ancelotti were to leave his post as Real Madrid manager. It is further reported that Real Madrid hasn’t yet made a decision in regards to their potential pursuit of Wirtz. Real Madrid’s decision won’t be known until May as per the GFNG report.

Summary.

That’s the biggest variable in the entire equation. If Xabi Alonso were to take over as Real Madrid manager that may swing the race to sign Wirtz in Madrid’s favour. It is reported that the German international sees his best chance at winning the Ballon d’Or by playing at the La Liga giants. The assumption was that it was a race between Manchester City and Bayern Munich to sign the German playmaker. But Real Madrid do now loom over proceedings.

But for me, as good as Florian Wirtz is if Manchester City isn’t his preferred destination is it a move worth pursuing? On talent alone, of course signing the Bayer Leverkusen star is a no-brainer. But as Manchester City seek to rebuild their squad it may be a case of finding players who want to play at the Etihad above all else. That’s the one thing that may dictate whether or not Wirtz is a player that City should spend so much time and energy on signing.

Of course, the SPORT BILD report which was relayed by GFNG may not be a true indication of the intentions of Florian Wirtz. But it is the most detailed analysis of the situation and it has laid out where that particular race stands. It is now a major story to watch for over the coming months which it has been for sometime.