Pep Guardiola urges Man City to sign £125m midfielder ahead of Arsenal
Pep Guardiola has made Florian Wirtz his top midfield target for Manchester City (Shutterstock) Pep Guardiola is pushing to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz ahead of Arsenal, according to reports in Germany. Wirtz played an integral role in Leverkusen’s league and cup double last season and has continued his impressive form this term with 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. The 21-year-old has already attracted interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid, and Bild reported earlier this season that Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘fully committed’ to signing the Germany international at the end of the season. However, Bild now report that Guardiola views Wirtz as his ‘dream player’ and is lining up the midfielder as City’s long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract expires this summer. The report adds that Guardiola wanted City to sign Wirtz in the January transfer window, although Leverkusen had no intention of selling him before the end of the season. Florian Wirtz has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid (Shutterstock) Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s hierarchy are hopeful of convincing Wirtz to sign a contract extension before the summer transfer window which would keep him tied to the club until 2027. The Bundesliga champions are looking to include a release clause of €125 million (£104.3m) which could be activated from the summer of 2026. Leverkusen are also willing to offer Wirtz a significant pay rise which would see his salary increase from £128,000 a week to a figure in excess of £160,000. The report adds that if Wirtz does not agree to sign a new deal, Leverkusen would look to sell the Germany international this summer and would demand a transfer fee of €150m (£125.2m). For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Pep Guardiola is pushing to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz ahead of Arsenal, according to reports in Germany.
Wirtz played an integral role in Leverkusen’s league and cup double last season and has continued his impressive form this term with 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
The 21-year-old has already attracted interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid, and Bild reported earlier this season that Mikel Arteta’s side are ‘fully committed’ to signing the Germany international at the end of the season.
However, Bild now report that Guardiola views Wirtz as his ‘dream player’ and is lining up the midfielder as City’s long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract expires this summer.
The report adds that Guardiola wanted City to sign Wirtz in the January transfer window, although Leverkusen had no intention of selling him before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s hierarchy are hopeful of convincing Wirtz to sign a contract extension before the summer transfer window which would keep him tied to the club until 2027.
The Bundesliga champions are looking to include a release clause of €125 million (£104.3m) which could be activated from the summer of 2026.
Leverkusen are also willing to offer Wirtz a significant pay rise which would see his salary increase from £128,000 a week to a figure in excess of £160,000.
The report adds that if Wirtz does not agree to sign a new deal, Leverkusen would look to sell the Germany international this summer and would demand a transfer fee of €150m (£125.2m).
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
