Liverpool issue Florian Wirtz transfer blow to Manchester City and Bayern Munich | OneFootball

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been handed a blow to their hopes of a two-way battle for the signature of Florian Wirtz this summer, according to new reports.

The last few days have seen a flurry of developments concerning the Premier League and Bundesliga giants, as they work against one another to persuade one of Germany’s generational talents to select them as his next club.

Reports from German media had initially suggested that Wirtz and his family had agreed to personal terms with Bayern Munich over a deal either this summer or in 2026, only for Tuesday to bring a fresh twist to the tale.

Since being first reported, it has now been confirmed that Florian Wirtz travelled to Manchester with his parents on Tuesday for a tour of City’s facilities and to meet with key figures at the Etihad Stadium.

And while it may have seemed as though Bayern Munich and Manchester City would go head-to-head for the player’s signature, matters have only been further complicated by the emergence of a new name in the race.

That is according to the information of German outlet Kicker, who claim that Liverpool have entered the race to sign Florian Wirtz this summer in what will likely be a blow to Manchester City and Bayern Munich’s hope of a quick resolution to the player’s future.

Remarkably, the report states that the trip taken by Wirtz and his parents to England on Tuesday was not even intended for those at Manchester City, but instead to visit the Anfield club on Merseyside.

Furthermore, the report quotes ‘a few industry insiders’ who are said to be expecting Real Madrid to enter the fray for the Germany international, particularly given Xabi Alonso’s pending move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Of all the clubs mentioned, many would expect Manchester City to make the most intense pursuit of the player given the urgent need for an able Kevin De Bruyne successor, with the Belgian leaving the club next month.

It was the first major decision made by the club in the lead up to a transformational summer, as sporting director Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano opted not to put the offer of fresh renewal terms on the table for the 33-year-old.

While that decision has understandably caused plenty of emotion for City supporters during the final weeks of the season and De Bruyne’s Etihad career, the freeing up a significant salary package could aid the club’s recruitment plans this summer – including Florian Wirtz.