Man City eye €140m-rated Real Madrid target as long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne | OneFootball

Manchester City are reportedly showing strong interest in Real Madrid target and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz as a potential long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, claims Daily Mail (h/t AS).

This comes at a time when several key players in the City squad, including Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and De Bruyne, are all over the age of 30.

The future of some of these established stars is uncertain, especially with De Bruyne’s contract set to expire in two years when he will turn 34.

Although Pep Guardiola has expressed his trust in De Bruyne, stating that the Belgian will decide his own future based on his ability to maintain top-level performance, Manchester City are preparing for the possibility of life without him.

An impressive player to have

Wirtz, who is only 21 years old, has already made a significant impact at Bayer Leverkusen and earned a place in the German national team.

Florian Wirtz is wanted by a number of teams. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

His impressive form has caught the attention of top clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester City, who see him as a perfect fit to partner with Phil Foden in their midfield.

With a market value of over €100 million, Wirtz still has two years remaining on his contract with Leverkusen, and the club is eager to secure his future with a contract renewal.

However, Manchester City and Real Madrid are not the only club monitoring his progress; Bayern Munich is also keen on securing his services.

Real Madrid’s stand

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also maintained interest in Wirtz for some time, but a move this summer seems unlikely.

Reports suggest that Wirtz himself feels that 2026 would be the ideal time to join an elite club like Real Madrid, giving him the necessary time to develop further and adapt to the demands of playing for such a prestigious team.

This leaves Manchester City and Bayern Munich in a competitive race for the young midfielder’s signature, both of whom see him as a potential star for the future.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.