Florian Wirtz told to snub Manchester City for Bayern Munich by German football legend | OneFootball

Former Bayern Munich and Germany National Team midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has advised Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz to snub Manchester City for Bayern Munich this summer.

Wirtz is top of Manchester City’s target list to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne and it is understood the 21-year-old attacking midfielder has been impressed with Pep Guardiola’s overtures to lure him to the Etihad Stadium.

Leverkusen are keen to keep hold of their star player and have offered a contract extension to the Germany international, which would mean he stays put for the 2025-26 campaign and leave after the 2026 FIFA World Cup owing to the inclusion of a release clause into his contract.

Wirtz’s father is believed to be favouring a move to Real Madrid and the in-demand midfielder’s mother is leaning towards staying at Leverkusen as Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City fight it out to claim his services.

Speaking in a press conference to confirm his departure on Friday, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso addressed recent reports indicating that Wirtz has his heart set on joining Bayern Munich over Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Alonso, who played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, said: “I don’t have this information. I haven’t spoken to Flo about his future,” which means all options are open for the German, who is expected to make a decision on his future as the 2024-25 season comes to a close. b

However, Bayern Munich and Germany National Team legend Bastian Schweinsteiger has advised Florian Wirtz to snub Manchester City and Real Madrid to stay put in his homeland as Bayern Munich go all in to sign the Leverkusen man.

In an interview with Give Me Sport, the former Manchester United midfielder said: “First of all, we’re very happy to have him in Germany, same as Musiala.

“Two outstanding players at a young age already, you can see, but now it’s like – what’s next for him at Leverkusen?

“He’s very happy, he’s a key player over there obviously. They are doing really well. They play fantastic football, I must say. It’s difficult to play Leverkusen.

“Obviously Bayern Munich would love to have him in their squad. It would be fantastic. But it’s not easy. Nowadays, those players cost a lot of money as well, so you have to think about it.

“But for him, actually, you know, he already had a big injury to his ACL, and he recovered well. So I wish him all the best.

“I don’t know if now is the right moment for him to move abroad. I don’t know if that’s the right move, because maybe at a young age, you have to go step by step.

“From my experience, it was also very good to leave the club later. For me, it was very important to win the Champions League trophy first and have success with Bayern Munich, and then when the top is done, to experience another culture, another mentality – that was important for me.

“So he’s 21 or 22 I think, still young. So let’s hope he’s healthy and helps Germany to win the World Cup.”