Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich remain in the hunt for one of Europe’s brightest talents for now but the prohibitive costs have put off Pep Guardiola’s side.
The transfer fee could set any suitors back a British transfer record of £126million – a stretch City were seemingly unwilling to make.
Wirtz, who was a key figure in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double last season, was seen as a potential successor to the departing Kevin De Bruyne.
A haul of 18 goals and 20 assists saw the youngster burst into the international consciousness last season, and he has backed that up with a further 16 strikes and 15 set-ups this campaign.
Only 22, he has already been capped 29 times by Germany and outgoing Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has described him as ‘world-class’.
It is not necessarily a blow for City, who have proven in recent seasons that they are willing to leave behind a transfer chase if the numbers don’t stack up.
Pep Guardiola’s side backed out of the race for Harry Kane when Daniel Levy quoted a £150m fee and instead settled for £100m Jack Grealish and £51m Erling Haaland in successive seasons.
It may also be seen as a boost to Phil Foden, who has struggled with mental fatigue and poor form this campaign but has long been seen as the fulcrum of the club’s future.
According to German journalist Christian Falk, Wirtz had been set to reject a move to City to join Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The report states that Wirtz has agreed a move to the Bavarian giants, with Bayern prepared to offer €100million (£84.7m) to bring him to the Allianz Arena.
That, though, is well short of Leverkusen’s valuation, and Bayern would surely have to cough up a larger fee amid competition from Liverpool.
However, there remains an expectation in Germany that Wirtz will carry on for another year.
While Leverkusen did not retain their Bundesliga crown, they have finished runners-up and reached the last 16 of the Champions League, where Bayern knocked them out.
More to follow.
