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Manchester United are one of a number of Europe’s elite clubs “interested” in signing Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports reporter reveals the Red Devils are joined by Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the hunt for the 21-year-old midfielder, who is widely considered one of the best young talents in world football.
La Liga and European champions Real Madrid are “also in the race” but Plettenberg states Leverkusen “consider a move to the Spanish giants next summer to be unrealistic.”
Similarly, Bayern Munich hold a long-term interest in their domestic rival’s crown jewel but the Sky Sports reporter contends Leverkusen officials are “determined to sell [Wirtz] abroad and not to FC Bayern.”
This would appear to make the Premier League the only viable route out of Germany for Wirtz next summer, given the lack of interest from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and the fact none of Italy’s traditional heavyweights will be able to afford the 21-year-old.
This potentially offers United, who are increasingly looking towards younger talent as the club’s recruitment profile under INEOS, a chance to nab one of Europe’s hottest prospects ahead of continental rivals, as they did in the summer with Leny Yoro.
However, Plettenberg reveals, it is in fact United’s local rivals who have expressed the “most concrete” interest in Wirtz.
Manchester City will be acutely aware of the need to find a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who will turn 34 next summer. And, in Wirtz, they will likely have identified one of the only young midfielders capable of taking over from the brilliant Belgian.
🚨🆕 Bayer Leverkusen’s ideal scenario is to convince Florian #Wirtz to sign a new contract. His current contract runs until 2027 ✔️
If the 21y/o wants to leave next summer, Leverkusen are determined to sell him abroad and not to FC Bayern.
So far, Man City’s interest is the… pic.twitter.com/z8gdv4Sj5J
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 18, 2024
Tweet: “Bayer Leverkusen’s ideal scenario is to convince Florian #Wirtz to sign a new contract. His current contract runs until 2027. If the 21y/o wants to leave next summer, Leverkusen are determined to sell him abroad and not to FC Bayern.
So far, Man City’s interest is the most concrete. Also interested: Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United. Real Madrid is also in the race, but Leverkusen currently consider a move to the Spanish giants next summer to be unrealistic.”
Leverkusen remain keen to tie Wirtz’s long-term future to the BayArena with the club’s “ideal scenario” being a new contract. The 21-year-old’s current deal runs until 2027, meaning next summer would represent the best opportunity for Leverkusen to cash in, should a new contract be unworkable, however.
United’s own midfield dynamo, Bruno Fernandes, faces a similar date with Father Time given the Red Devils’ captain set to turn 31 early next season. Fernandes has also endured a poor start to this campaign with murmurings beginning to emerge over the club’s decision to extend his contract over the summer.
If, and it’s a big if, Old Trafford officials were to decide they need to be at the front of the queue for a talent as peerless as Wirtz, Fernandes’ place in the side would undoubtedly be under threat, given they both operate optimally in similar areas.
Perhaps the decision may even be made that Wirtz would take Fernandes’ place in the squad with United looking to reinvent a midfield unit that has looked far from viable in recent years. And while this would certainly prove a controversial move, the prospect of a Florian Wirtz-Kobbie Mainoo axis in the centre of the pitch would undoubtedly help convince doubters.
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