Liverpool to rival Manchester City in race for Florian Wirtz | OneFootball

Liverpool will rival Manchester City in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz, according to the Daily Mail.

The Reds are planning to make a marquee addition to Arne Slot’s squad in the summer, and Wirtz fits that description.

However, it remains to be seen whether they’d pony up to Leverkusen’s demands.

Wirtz’s contract at the BayArena runs until 2027, but there’s a general feeling that he could leave the club in the summer.

The German international is valued at €140 million (£116m) on Transfermarkt, and Liverpool could baulk at their lofty demands.

The 21-year-old has been in sensational form for Leverkusen this season, notching 15 goals and 13 assists in 36 games across all competitions.

His remarkable form has spurred interest from clubs across Europe, with Liverpool and Man City also set to go head-to-head with European champions Real Madrid.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Wirtz and could join the bidding party in the summer.

Leverkusen’s interest in Man City forward James McAtee could tilt the odds in favour of the Premier League champions.

The Bundesliga title holders are keen to sign the 22-year-old and made their move during the January transfer window but were rebuffed by Man City.

Guardiola is a huge fan of McAtee, and the English talent came on as a substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool.

Despite struggling for playing time, the England youth international is keen to nail down a regular starting birth in Guardiola’s first team, but there’s plenty of competition in Man City’s attacking midfield.

He could force his way into the picture if Man City lose one of Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, or Bernardo Silva this summer.