Man City & Liverpool prepared to fight Bayern Munich for Florian Wirtz
- Wirtz one of the form players to help Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table
- Bayern Munich hold interest in young playmaker but imminent transfer will not be sanctioned
- Premier League heavyweight duo not prepared to give up on signing Wirtz
Manchester City and Liverpool remain determined to sign Florian Wirtz despite Bayern Munich's ongoing interet in the Bayer Leverkusen prodigy, 90min understands.
Wirtz made his return from an ACL injury at the start of 2023 and his form so far this season is one of many reasons why Leverkusen are leading the Bundesliga in search of their first ever title.
From the 'number 10' role, it's three goals and five assists 13 appearances for the 20-year-old, plus another eight goal contributions in six games across the Europa League and DFB-Pokal.
As 90min has reported previously, Leverkusen have already ruled out sanctioning deals for any key players during the upcoming January transfer window.
Wirtz is also expected to remain with Leverkusen into the 2024/25 season too, with the player's father and agent, Hans-Joachim, confirming as much to Sky Sport Germany: "Currently, everything is geared towards Florian continuing to play in Leverkusen next season," he said.
A transfer is more likely to come in 2025, with a preference to stay in Germany making domestic suitors Bayern Munich an obvious destination. But 90min understands that Manchester City and Liverpool aren't prepared to throw in the towel for Wirtz. They each remain huge admirers of the young attacker and intend to fight Bayern all the way to end of the race for his signature.
Wirtz was on the radar for City in particular long before his 2022 injury and that pursuit resumed earlier this year once the player had returned to the pitch. At that time, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United had also watched him in action, while Barcelona were heavily linked too.
City had a scouting presence at Leverkusen's win over Hoffenheim early last month when Wirtz got on the scoresheet. He was the primary reason for the visit, although 25-year-old midfielder Exequiel Palacios is another Leverkusen player that City have been impressed by in recent months.
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