BREAKING: Man City to hear ‘soon’ if £109m superstar will sign as Sky news drops ‘everything prepared’ claim

Wirtz’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of spectacular. The young midfielder played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga triumph, their first-ever league title, while also spearheading their charge to the German Cup and Europa League final. His dazzling performances saw him score 18 goals and register 20 assists across 49 matches, earning him the prestigious Bundesliga Player of the Year award.

Despite interest from top European clubs last summer, Wirtz decided to stay at Leverkusen, believing in the vision of manager Xabi Alonso. That decision proved to be a masterstroke as he flourished, helping the club dominate domestically. This season, even while recovering from an ankle injury, Wirtz has continued to impress, contributing 15 goals and 13 assists in 39 matches across all competitions.

With such performances, it’s no surprise that Manchester City and Bayern Munich have intensified their pursuit of the German international. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg recently confirmed that these two giants are leading the chase, with Real Madrid—once considered serious contenders—seemingly cooling their interest.

The decision now rests on Wirtz and Leverkusen. The club is hoping to extend his contract, while City and Bayern are prepared to battle for his signature. If Wirtz does decide to move, Leverkusen are expected to demand a hefty fee of around €120-130 million (£109m/$140m). This valuation reflects his status as one of the most promising young playmakers in world football.

Leverkusen, however, are determined to hold onto their star. Reports indicate that the club has already drawn up a new contract proposal that would keep Wirtz at the BayArena until 2028. Crucially, this extension is expected to include a release clause set for 2026, allowing him a structured exit while securing financial benefits for Leverkusen.

Manchester City, in particular, see Wirtz as the ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian maestro, who has been at the heart of City’s success under Pep Guardiola, is being linked with a potential move away from the Etihad. San Diego FC’s sporting director Tyler Heaps recently confirmed discussions with De Bruyne over a possible free transfer to MLS, although meeting his wage demands remains a major hurdle.

With uncertainty surrounding De Bruyne’s future, City are keen to secure Wirtz as their next creative linchpin. Guardiola reportedly admires Wirtz’s vision, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess, seeing him as a player who could seamlessly slot into City’s midfield and thrive in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, view Wirtz as the natural heir to Thomas Müller. The Bavarian giants have a history of securing Germany’s best talents, and with Müller nearing the twilight of his career, Wirtz represents a long-term solution for their attacking midfield. Club officials are said to be pushing hard to convince the youngster that staying in Germany would be the best move for his career development.

Beyond Wirtz, City are also making moves in other areas. Reports from Spain suggest that defender Manuel Akanji has been offered to Real Madrid, with the Swiss international looking for a fresh challenge. The defensive shake-up at City could signal a summer of major changes at the Etihad, with Guardiola keen to refresh his squad.

For Wirtz, the coming weeks will be crucial. If he chooses to leave, City and Bayern will enter an intense bidding war, potentially making him one of the most expensive German players in history. However, if he commits to a new deal with Leverkusen, it would be a significant statement from the club, reinforcing their ambitions of competing at the highest level.

Leverkusen’s stance remains clear—they want to retain Wirtz for as long as possible. But the reality of modern football means that such talents are rarely kept for long, especially when the biggest clubs in the world come knocking.

The key factor in Wirtz’s decision may ultimately be Alonso. The Leverkusen boss has built a strong relationship with the young midfielder and is keen to continue developing him. Should Alonso remain at the club, Wirtz might be persuaded to delay his departure until 2026.

For City, the appeal is obvious. Guardiola has a track record of nurturing elite midfielders, from De Bruyne to Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden. Adding Wirtz to that mix would give City another world-class talent capable of defining their next era of dominance.

Bayern, meanwhile, will argue that staying in Germany would be the best path forward. They can offer Wirtz the chance to continue his development in a familiar environment while competing for domestic and European honors.

As the summer transfer window approaches, the tension around Wirtz’s future will only escalate. Leverkusen fans will be hoping their club can hold onto their star, while City and Bayern supporters eagerly await news of a potential blockbuster signing.

One thing is certain—Florian Wirtz is at the center of one of the biggest transfer sagas of 2025. Wherever he ends up, his next move will have major implications for both his career and the European football landscape.