Exclusive: Man City turn attention to Florian Wirtz as overhaul intensifies

Wirtz has been on the radar of multiple elite European clubs for the past few seasons and played a key role in Leverkusen's title-winning campaign last season.

Football Insider has revealed that Manchester City are in the race to sign Wirtz, though Bayern Munich remain the frontrunners for his signature.

The 21-year-old has yet to sign a contract extension with Xabi Alonso's side, with his current deal set to expire in 2027.

Transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke believes Wirtz "will be on Man City's list" this summer as they search for a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Man City in race to sign Florian Wirtz as Leverkusen price tag revealed

Speaking on Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, O'Rourke revealed that City would need to pay "around the £100 million mark" if they were to pursue a deal for Wirtz. He also mentioned that clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona could enter the race for the highly sought-after midfielder.

Man City have also been linked to Xavi Simons, but their search for a long-term successor to De Bruyne includes multiple options.

O'Rourke told Football Insider: "But it won't just be Xavi Simons that'll be on the Man City list if they are forced to look for a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. I think Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen, the German international, he would be pretty high up in that list as well.

"He is a long-term target for Pep Guardiola, so there'll be a number of names that City will have on their list if De Bruyne does leave, but there's no guarantee that will happen either.

"I'm sure De Bruyne admitted recently that they will sit down and have discussions to see what his future holds, and if Kevin De Bruyne wants to stay at City, I would imagine the club will do everything they can to keep him.

"It'd be a marquee signing if you were to get Florian Wirtz. You'd be looking at around the £100 million mark, probably. For somebody like him, all indications are that he could end up leaving Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window as well.

"Bayern Munich are also being strongly linked with him as well. You'd have all the big boys around Europe knocking on the door. If he becomes available in summer, Real Madrid, Barcelona—if they could get their financial act together—would be interested in Wirtz.

"I'm sure Pep Guardiola would love the opportunity to add him to his new-look squad in the summer if the opportunity does arise."

Florian Wirtz tipped as successor for Kevin de Bruyne

Former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Man City have already begun searching for De Bruyne's replacement.

With the Belgian's current deal expiring in June, speculation is mounting over whether he will extend his stay or move on.

Meanwhile, Wirtz has enjoyed another outstanding season, scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists.

If a deal materialises for the German playmaker, he would arrive with high expectations as City look for the perfect successor to their midfield icon.