It is a well-established fact that Manchester City have begun their rebuild. The arrivals of Omar Marmoush, Nico, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis signify the beginning of that process. It is a process that is set to continue this summer. Heading into the summer it appears that Manchester City’s big summer transfer target has been revealed. It appears that Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz is the player City will try and move for next summer.
Jack Gaughan has reported for the Daily Mail that Manchester City have identified Florian Wirtz as a summer transfer target. Furthermore, Gaughan reports that City have a long-standing interest in the German international. Gaughan adds that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Wirtz. It’s also reported by Gaughan that Manchester City are also intrigued by the possibility of playing Wirtz and Foden together.
Man City have liked Wirtz for a long time but the squad rebuild being what it is brings him into sharper focus
Going to be a scramble to sign one of the best talents in Europe https://t.co/wsAimZwcDj
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) February 17, 2025
Sacha Tavolieri of SkySports has also reported that Pep Guardiola has identified Florian Wirtz as City’s potential Kevin De Bruyne replacement. Furthermore, Tavolieri reports that City opened talks with the Florian Wirtz camp in January over a potential move. Lastly, Tavolieri reports that Manchester City would have to pay €100 million plus a sell-on clause to sign Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Manchester City’s big summer transfer target appears to have been revealed but signing him will be no easy task.
Based on the reports of Jack Gaughan and Sacha Tavolieri it appears that Manchester City have set their sights on signing Florian Wirtz next summer. As a player, Wirtz would be the ideal player to potentially replace Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne’s time at Manchester City is coming to an end. Whether or not that occurs at the end of this season or next season remains to be seen. But that time is coming, and if you could pick one player to replace him, that would be Florian Wirtz.
Florian Wirtz has firmly established himself as one of the best young playmakers in world football. It’s no surprise to see Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid credited with an interest in signing him. His performances for Bayer Leverkusen during this season and last season show why he’s so highly coveted. In 35 appearances in all competitions this season he has scored 15 goals and added 12 assists. But it’s his overall game that makes him such a quality player. The fact that he is only 21 years old shows that his best football is ahead of him. That is a tantalising prospect to ponder considering what Wirtz has already displayed in his young career.
But signing Florian Wirtz will be no easy task for Manchester City. There does appear to be a battle brewing between City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to land the German international. It may well come down to what opportunity each team can offer Wirtz. City can offer the German international the opportunity to be the face alongside Erling Haaland of Manchester City’s next era of success. There is also the chance for Wirtz to work with Pep Guardiola. Whether or not that can tempt Wirtz to the Etihad remains to be seen. There is also the possibility that Wirtz decides to stay at Bayern Leverkusen this summer which needs to be considered.
Summary
Manchester City’s big summer transfer target appears to have been revealed. That seems to be Florian Wirtz based on today’s reports. Now it will be interesting to see if City can tempt Wirtz to move to the Etihad. There’s a lot to play out on that front but it does seem that Manchester City have set their sights on signing the German international. If they could sign him it would be a massive statement of intent from Manchester City.
