Fabrizio Romano breaks silence on Manchester City meeting with Florian Wirtz as Bayer Leverkusen transfer intensifies | OneFootball

Manchester City hold an “excellent relationship” with Bayer Leverkusen that could only strengthen over time, including concerning Florian Wirtz, it has been revealed.

Those are the words of Fabrizio Romano speaking for the first time in light of fresh developments concerning the former Premier League champions’ pursuit of one of European football’s hottest commodities this summer.

Etihad Stadium officials are believed to be facing a strong challenge for Wirtz’s signature from Bayern Munich, while Real Madrid – who are set to appoint Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso as their next head coach – have not been entirely ruled out of the race.

Tuesday brought about a fresh twist in the tale of a fast-moving situation around the Germany international creator, as the player’s parents were spotted returning from a quick trip over to Manchester to meet with Manchester City officials.

The full nature of the meeting is not known at this stage but is believed to be viewed as standard procedure from the side of the Etihad Stadium, who are usually patient in their pursuit of primary transfer targets.

And while City continue to work on their talks regarding the player’s side of things, matters are developing between the two clubs involved, and those particular conversations could extend well beyond the services of Florian Wirtz.

That is according to the information of market insider Fabrizio Romano, who reveals that City and Leverkusen have an “excellent relationship” and one that could feature the exchange of players in the direction of the Bundesliga side, in the event of a deal for Wirtz.

“We can confirm that part of the story; the parents of Florian Wirtz – who are taking care of his future, his father – were in Manchester to have contact with Manchester City,” Romano first clarified on Tuesday evening.

“And this trip from the Wirtz family to Manchester is confirmed. It was a meeting with Man City to discuss. Why? Because from Florian Wirtz’s side, they know that Bayer Leverkusen have an excellent relationship with Manchester City.”

Fabrizio Romano continued, “They know that Bayer Leverkusen and Man City, from what I’m understanding and hearing, not just have an excellent relationship but would be ready to negotiate an agreement including, eventually, players to go from Man City to Bayer Leverkusen, young players.

“For example, a player they love at Bayer Leverkusen is James McAtee – a player who is really highly-rated by Pep Guardiola. But, in case they can do the Florian Wirtz deal, this could be one of the names to discuss and not the only one.

“So the possibility to include players as part of the package, and also to be the long-term relationship, City-Leverkusen, in case they do this Florian Wirtz deal.”

While reports from Germany had originally claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was a part of the meeting involving Florian Wirtz’s parents on Tuesday, Fabrizio Romano has since clarified the nature of the talks in England.

“Pep Guardiola was not in England today,” Romano corrected. “So the meeting was not Guardiola-Florian Wirtz, Guardiola-family of Florian Wirtz.

“Man City discussing with people close to Florian Wirtz to present their idea of their project. Meanwhile, Man City are in very good discussions with Bayer Leverkusen.”

For now, Manchester City are seemingly playing a waiting game when it comes to Florian Wirtz, allowing the player and his family to make their decision in peace without pressure being applied through the national media.

Etihad officials will hope that their strategy does the talking and that their long-term project under Pep Guardiola and the squad built alongside the Germany international will also be as convincing and more tempting than what is on the table at the Allianz Arena.