Real Madrid given transfer boost as Bundesliga club CEO admits key target could leave in 2025 | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, has made it clear that it will be a significant challenge for the club to keep hold of their star player, Florian Wirtz, beyond this season.

The talented German midfielder has attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and, of course, Real Madrid.

This interest is not surprising given Wirtz’s growing reputation as one of the most promising young talents in world football.

Recent reports were suggesting that Wirtz was close to renewing his contract with Leverkusen, which runs until 2027. However, Carro has now cast doubt on these reports.

Bayer want him to stay, but it’s difficult

In a recent interview, he stated that while it would have been ideal for Wirtz to extend his deal, it is unlikely to happen.

Carro confirmed that the club had hoped to keep Wirtz at Leverkusen at least until the 2026 World Cup, which would make an extension a sensible decision.

“I would have been happy if it had been true,” he began saying as quoted by SPORT.

Florian Wirtz might leave Bayer Leverkusen in 2025. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

However, Carro also admitted that if Wirtz does not renew his contract, it will be extremely difficult for Leverkusen to retain him beyond this summer.

He explained that while a departure is not a certainty, it is increasingly looking like the midfielder will leave if no agreement is reached. This makes it clear that the next few months will be crucial in determining Wirtz’s future.

“It will be difficult, you have to be honest. It’s not impossible, but it’s not what we want,” he noted.

So what next?

If Wirtz does choose to renew, the expectation is that he will stay at Leverkusen until at least 2026, after the World Cup. This aligns with the club’s goal of keeping him until then, but if no new deal is signed, the chances of his departure are very high.

Interestingly, Xabi Alonso’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen also expires in 2026, and Real Madrid have long been interested in him as a potential replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, whose deal ends that same year.

Alonso would reportedly be keen to return to the Spanish capital and take charge of the club. This could mean that if Wirtz stays until 2026, both he and Alonso may depart for Madrid at the same time, adding further intrigue to the situation.