Man City make move for Wirtz in bid to hijack Bayern deal

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is attracting serious interest from Europe's top clubs, with Manchester City now firmly in the race after Pep Guardiola identified him as a key target.

Their approach is seen as a direct response to Kevin De Bruyne's departure, with the Spanish coach reportedly viewing Wirtz as the ideal long-term successor.

Bayern Munich were believed to be in advanced talks, but City's interest could complicate matters, especially given the Premier League champions' financial muscle and the manager's reputation for developing attacking players.

Wirtz is under contract until 2027, meaning Leverkusen are in a strong negotiating position — but a bidding war may be on the horizon.

The timing of the move is also strategic, with City preparing for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Under new tournament regulations, clubs can register players in advance, potentially allowing Wirtz valuable time to integrate into Guardiola's system ahead of the competition.