Pep Guardiola is pushing to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz ahead of Arsenal, in keeping with 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 top of the season.
Nonetheless, Bild now report that Guardiola views Wirtz as his ‘dream player’ and is lining up the midfielder as City’s long-term substitute for Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract expires this summer.
The report adds that Guardiola wanted City to sign Wirtz within the January transfer window, although Leverkusen had no intention of selling him before the top of the season.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen’s hierarchy are hopeful of convincing Wirtz to sign a contract extension before the summer transfer window which might keep him tied to the club until 2027.
The Bundesliga champions want to include a release clause of €125 million (£104.3m) which might be activated from the summer of 2026.
Leverkusen are also willing to supply Wirtz a big pay rise which might see his salary increase from £128,000 per week to a figure in excess of £160,000.
The report adds that if Wirtz doesn’t conform to sign a brand new deal, Leverkusen would look to sell the Germany international this summer and would demand a transfer fee of €150m (£125.2m).
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