Manchester City open talks with Florian Wirtz over Bayer Leverkusen transfer | OneFootball

Officials from Manchester City have formally opened talks with Florian Wirtz over the idea of a transfer to the Etihad Stadium this summer, it is being reported in Germany.

The likes of Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain have long believed that the Germany international is the ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who will be leaving Manchester City after 10 years this summer.

Following conversations between the Belgium international and Manchester City’s CEO Ferran Soriano, as well as Begiristain, the decision was made clear from the side of the club that they would not be offering De Bruyne renewed terms.

As such, not only is the 33-year-old free to sound out his next challenge for the tail-end of his top-level playing career, but City are progressing in their search to recruit their next leader in the attacking and creative midfield ranks.

Reports in recent days have suggested that City may be well-behind Bayern Munich in the hunt for Bayer Leverkusen’s star creator, however there has since been a significant backtrack on the advanced nature of such claims.

It was suggested earlier on Tuesday that Manchester City had submitted a concrete offer to Leverkusen for the Pulheim-born star, as well as Pep Guardiola having spoken to the player directly on multiple occasions.

And now, according to a new report from Kicker, Florian Wirtz is said to be in talks with Manchester City over the idea of a transfer to the club, after the Premier League side obtained permission from Bayer Leverkusen to contact the midfielder.

The report does clarify that despite reports elsewhere in Germany, there is currently no confirmation of the Etihad Stadium club having submitted an offer to Leverkusen for the 22-year-old at this stage.

It is further stressed that City chiefs could also meet Bayer Leverkusen’s €150 million valuation on Wirtz ‘relatively easily’, while Bayern Munich would be ‘extremely reluctant’ to hit such a demand.

Aside from the creative midfield ranks, Manchester City are also believed to be targeting recruitment in numerous other positions, while further investment is likely to be dependant on outgoings from the current first-team squad.

The latter would likely relate to the goalkeeper position, with uncertainty surrounding whether Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno will both be a part of Pep Guardiola’s roster next season amid growing interest from Saudi Arabia and Germany respectively.

The right-sided full-back role is expected to be strengthened regardless of movement elsewhere, while the ‘number eight’ position in the centre of the park is also under analysis with interest in AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders.