Report: Man City losing out to Real Madrid in Florian Wirtz chase
- Planet Sport writer
- 11 June 2024
Manchester City are losing ground in their pursuit of Florian Wirtz, as Real Madrid have reportedly taken the lead for the £127million transfer in the summer of 2025.
The young German star, a standout for Bayer Leverkusen in their undefeated Bundesliga season, has attracted significant interest across Europe.
Wirtz, currently focused on Euro 2024 in Germany, has been linked to top clubs including Manchester City. However, recent updates suggest City's chances are waning. According to Marca, two key agreements are facilitating Wirtz's transfer to Real Madrid.
The first agreement involves the player, his representatives, and Bayer Leverkusen, ensuring his stay with the German champions through the 2024/25 season.
The second agreement, a verbal accord with Real Madrid, outlines personal terms for Wirtz's move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2025.
Reports indicate that Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, is ready to meet the €150million (£127million) valuation, ensuring finances won't hinder the deal.
This aligns with a recent German report suggesting that both Wirtz and Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso are targets for Real Madrid in the same summer.
Alonso, linked with the Liverpool job, is also a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at City. Guardiola's contract expires next summer, and he has hinted at leaving the club.
For now, Wirtz's focus is on Euro 2024, where Germany will face Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland in Group A.
The 21-year-old playmaker, seen as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne at City, has no plans to leave Leverkusen before 2025. De Bruyne, now 32 with a year left on his contract, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
