With the summer transfer window fast approaching, changes are expected in Manchester City’s squad with the soon-to-be-dethroned Premier League champions linked with several top names as potential signings.
One name rumoured to be top of City’s transfer target shortlist is Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz as the Germany international continues to thrive under Xabi Alonso.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side are not the only ones keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old, who is attracting constant attention from several major European rivals.
Wirtz has started 31 games for Leverkusen so far this season and registered a superb rolling tally of 15 goals and 13 assists.
City will face major competition in the race to potentially acquire Wirtz in 2025 but Bayer Leverkusen could meet them in the middle as part of prospective negotiations.
How can Man City sign Florian Wirtz?
Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing two City stars, James McAtee and Stefan Ortega this summer, according to the Daily Mirror’s Simon Mullock, and that could prove the trigger-point for talks.
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The report also suggests officials from Leverkusen paid a visit to the Etihad Campus last week, and put forward the idea of signing McAtee and Ortega and City are open to letting them go if a deal can be brokered.
Bayer Leverkusen want James McAtee and Stefan Ortega, and #ManCity are set to use interest as leverage for number one summer target, Florian Wirtz. Officials from the Bundesliga club made a planned visit to the Etihad Campus during the week and sounded out the prospect of signing…
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) April 13, 2025
Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly placed a £100m [$130m] price tag on Wirtz, who is under contract at the BayArena until the summer of 2027.
Do McAtee and Stefan Ortega want to leave Man City?
While City might be ready to potentially part ways with McAtee and Ortega to ensure Wirtz’s signature, questions remain over the players’ preferences.
Despite being lavished with occasional praise from Guardiola, McAtee’s future at City is uncertain, with the 22-year-old previously expressing he would like regular first-team football.
Several reports suggest City rejected an offer for McAtee from Leverkusen in January, however that stance appears to have evolved, and they are now open to offers in the region of £25m [$32.7m] for him this summer.
McAtee has played 811 minutes across 24 matches in all competitions for City this season with seven goals scored. His desire to be on the pitch more could be a reason for him to make the move to Leverkusen with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Ortega, meanwhile, is the second-choice goalkeeper for Man City and has managed 17 appearances this season amid Ederson’s injuries and absences.
Leverkusen’s reported interest in him comes amid their search for a skilled backup to first-choice keeper Lukas Hradecky.
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