Could Pep Guardiola and Manchester City make a move for a German prodigy?

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are keeping an eye on German prodigy Florian Wirtz. The City manager is reported to be a huge admirer of the Leverkusen star and the club views Wirtz as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne it has been reported.

Florian Wirtz has become one of the most sought-after young players in European football. He has starred for Bayer Leverkusen as Xabi Alonso’s side has stormed to the top of the Bundesliga table. The young midfielder has scored 8 goals and added 12 assists in 24 appearances as Leverkusen have dominated the Bundesliga so far this season and remain unbeaten after 17 games this season.

Manchester City have a big chance to land Wirtz

Transfer expert Christian Falk believes Manchester City has a big chance of landing the sought-after German international. In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside which was relayed by Farrell Keeling, the transfer expert reported: “There is an agreement in the club that he could leave for a fee of €130m minimum (there is some talk of €150m minimum). At the end, at both prices, there are not so many clubs that can pay that. There’s only one which is indeed interested, watching him very closely and can pay this amount – and that’s Manchester City. I think Bayern Munich will be out of the race with this asking price. If Manchester City make the move, they have a big chance to get the player.”

With Bayer Leverkusen demanding a sizable fee for Wirtz there are only a handful of clubs who could afford a move for German international. Manchester City are one and have previously scouted the midfielder. Sean Walsh and Graeme Bailey previously reported for 90min.com that City had scouts present to watch Wirtz last November. With the treble winners’ interest known, it may be a story that gathers momentum in the summer.

Pep Guardiola is a fan of the young starlet

It is also included in Keeling’s report that Pep Guardiola is a fan of the Leverkusen star. Keeping adds that Christian Falk also reports: “Pep Guardiola seems to be a big fan of him! He can play many positions (he’s not a like-for-like for Kevin De Bruyne but he can play this position). He could be a potential successor for De Bruyne perhaps, playing the position in his way, which fits perfectly with Guardiola.”

Could City make a move this summer?

With Pep Guardiola and Manchester City both having an interest in Wirtz it does raise the possibility of the club making a move for midfielder this summer. It is also reported by Falk that Wirtz intends to stay at Leverkusen until 2025.

But if Manchester City come in with an offer that meets Bayer Leverkusen’s asking price a potential move may materialise. The potential of the champions adding a young prospect like Florian Wirtz is a mouth-watering proposition.

Wirtz could be the ideal summer signing for Manchester City. With his potential and already immense talent he could potentially slot straight into Pep Guardiola’s lineup. The thought of Wirtz joining the treble winners is an exciting prospect for City fans.

A lot has to play out before it becomes reality but the champions may be at the head of the queue for Wirtz’s signature according to Christian Falk.