Manchester City handed major boost in €85 million midfield transfer pursuit

Manchester City have been given fresh optimism surrounding a potential summer move for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.

Pep Guardiola made two midfield additions during the recent summer transfer window, as Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes both moved to the Etihad Stadium from Chelsea and Wolves, respectively.

The pair, who have a wealth of previous Premier League experience, have both been handed several starts by the Manchester City manager since switching to North West England.

The treble-winners are two points behind Premier League leaders Tottenham after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since 2018, falling to defeats to both Wolves and Arsenal prior to the October international break.

Manchester City return to Premier League action on Saturday, and despite the new campaign having only recently started, the Sky Blues are already lining up potential signings for the 2024 summer transfer window.

Guardiola faces the possibility of Bernardo Silva leaving the club next summer, meanwhile questions may surround Kevin De Bruyne, who remains sidelined for a significant period of time due to a recurring hamstring problem.

Manchester City are therefore set to be amongst the club’s to consider a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, who could leave the current Bundesliga leaders at the end of the campaign, claim Sport.

The 20-year-old has been directly involved in seven goals in 10 appearances so far this season, and is drawing interest from three Premier League sides, including Manchester City.

Manchester United and Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in signing the attacking midfielder, according to a report relayed by Sport Witness.

Barcelona held an interest in the German international, however look set to miss out on the midfielder, as Bayer Leverkusen prepare to demand an €85 million fee for the 20-year-old.

Manchester City could therefore be forced to battle two Premier League rivals to secure the signature of Wirtz next summer, should the club’s interest in the midfielder materialise.

The English trio are claimed to be ‘very attentive’ to Wirtz’s situation, although Bayern Munich could throw a spanner into the works, report German outlet Bild.

The Sky Blues attempted to sign West Ham star Lucas Paqueta during the summer, however a bombshell revelation relating to suspicious betting activity dramatically scuppered any chance of a move away from the London Stadium.

Manchester City have previously identified their transfer targets early, with Croatian pair Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic emerging during early 2023.