Man City news: Liverpool ready to enter race as City meet with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz
Manchester City have stepped up their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen and Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Pep Guardiola is keen to bring in a new playmaker this summer after Kevin De Bruyne announced he will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
The Spaniard has reportedly identified Wirtz as the Belgian’s ‘ideal’ replacement.
Manchester City meet with Florian Wirtz
As per German outlet BILD, City held talks with Wirtz’s family in Manchester earlier this week.
The Cityzens are long-standing admirers of the 22-year-old, who has bagged an impressive 16 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this season.
For a time, it looked likely that the German international would join fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, however, a deal has not yet been struck between the two.
Man City have made it clear that they ‘will not give up’ as long as Wirtz has not signed with the Bavarians, according to Florian Plettenberg.
Bayer Leverkusen would prefer to sell their starman abroad instead of to a direct domestic rival.
Liverpool join the race for Florian Wirtz
Manchester City are not the only Premier League outfit chasing the tricky midfielder’s signature, with Liverpool also keen.
The Reds have made contact with Wirtz’s representatives to express their interest in a potential summer move, as reported by The Athletic.
Arne Slot’s side are also working on a deal to sign Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutchman likely Anfield-bound.
While it is unclear whether Wirtz intends to leave the BayArena or the Bundesliga, Manchester and Merseyside are both concrete options if he is to depart.
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