Chelsea is making strides toward securing the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Manchester City has also expressed interest in the player, according to reports from SPORT in Spain.
Recent developments in the pursuit of Florian Wirtz, who is on Manchester City’s radar, are certainly worth a closer look. Chelsea’s negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen regarding the potential acquisition of the German international have reportedly gained momentum.
The talks are progressing, and it’s suggested that Chelsea’s strong relationship with Bayer Leverkusen, built on the £71 million signing of Kai Havertz in September 2020, is playing a pivotal role in these discussions.
This latest development comes on the heels of a previous report from SPORT, indicating that Manchester City is considering making a bid for Wirtz in 2024 as Pep Guardiola seeks to infuse fresh creativity into the Etihad Stadium.
Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly seeking €80 million (£70 million) for the 20-year-old, a fee that reflects Wirtz’s impressive form this season. He has contributed significantly with five goals and eight assists in just 13 appearances for the club.
Should Chelsea successfully secure Wirtz’s signature, it raises the question of Manchester City needing to explore alternative options. According to Christian Falk, the Head of Football at the German news outlet BILD, Guardiola is also eyeing Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who operates in a similar No. 10 role behind the striker, much like Wirtz.
Given the similarity in their playing positions, it seems unlikely that Guardiola would aim to acquire both players for the Etihad Stadium. Therefore, it’s plausible that Manchester City may pursue either Musiala or Wirtz rather than attempting to sign both. BILD reports that Musiala is currently valued at £96 million, and combining this with Wirtz’s £70 million valuation could pose financial challenges for Manchester City.
This situation demands close attention as Guardiola looks to secure a new No. 10 for Manchester City in 2024. The choice between Wirtz and Musiala will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the club’s future dynamics and squad composition.
