Man City’s relentless pursuit of Florian Wirtz is a statement of intent | OneFootball

Manchester City have submitted an official bid for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, according to BILD. That throws a wrench into what many assumed was a clear path to Bayern Munich.

Reports out of Germany suggested Wirtz has already agreed personal terms with Bayern, but his father’s swift denial opened the door for a dramatic twist – one that Pep Guardiola is all too eager to walk through.

This is as much a tug-of-war over one of Europe’s brightest talents as it is a battle for football influence.

For decades, Bayern have had the first pick of Bundesliga stars. But Leverkusen aren’t having any of that this time around.

They’ve slapped a €100 million asking price on Wirtz, but Bayern will have to fork out €50m more to get a deal over the line.

Leverkusen’s reluctance to do business with a direct rival gives City an opportunity to land a generational talent and stake their claim as one of the most attractive clubs in the world.

Kevin De Bruyne has decided to leave the club after a decade of world-class service, and Wirtz is seen as a like-for-like replacement.

Guardiola needs a new orchestrator – someone who can read the game and pull the strings with effortless rhythm.

Wirtz checks that box, and City’s official bid is proof that they will stop at nothing to get their priority target.

After four consecutive years as the Premier League’s apex predators, City were dethroned by Liverpool – and by some distance.

This summer is about reclaiming their status as the kings of England, and Wirtz might be the key to making it happen.

But City have Bayern to contend with, and it doesn’t help that the player is also favouring a move to Bavaria despite speaking to Guardiola on multiple occasions.

There was a time when players jumped at the chance to play under the best manager in the world. Wirtz wants a different path, but City aren’t throwing in the towel.

Convincing Wirtz to leave Germany, where he’s comfortable and celebrated, won’t be easy – particularly with Bayern already turning his head.

Wirtz will leave Leverkusen this summer. If City can convince him to move to the Premier League, it would be a massive statement of intent heading into the new season.