Manchester City has been working to refresh its squad during the winter transfer window. Txiki Begiristain was busy completing deals for new players, including Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez. Marmoush was brought in to give Pep Guardiola an option in attack, while Gonzalez was brought in to strengthen the midfield. In addition to these signings, the defense was also reinforced with the arrivals of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Despite these additions, there is still work left for the club to do, especially with the upcoming change in leadership. Hugo Viana will take over from Begiristain in the summer, and he will need to continue improving the squad. One of the key issues that City must address is the future of Kevin De Bruyne. His current contract is set to expire in June, and as the Belgian midfielder turns 34 that month, it seems likely that the club may need to find a replacement for him.
According to reports from Sacha Tavolieri on Sky Sports, Guardiola has already identified a potential replacement for De Bruyne. The player he is interested in is Florian Wirtz, the talented German midfielder who plays for Bayer Leverkusen. It seems that Guardiola has personally chosen Wirtz as his preferred replacement for De Bruyne, and Manchester City has already approached the player and his representatives about a possible transfer.
City attempted to sign Wirtz during the winter transfer window, but the 21-year-old attacking midfielder decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen until the end of the season. The club respected his decision and decided to back off from negotiations for the time being. However, City is expected to make another attempt to sign Wirtz in the summer.
The fee for Wirtz is expected to be around €100m, or £83m, and there may also be a sell-on fee included in the deal. Wirtz has been in excellent form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. His impressive numbers have caught the attention of several top clubs, including Arsenal, who are also reportedly interested in signing him.
Wirtz has been a standout player for Bayer Leverkusen under the guidance of former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso. Last season, Wirtz played a crucial role in helping the team almost secure an unbeaten treble. The team only suffered one defeat, which came in the UEFA Europa League final against Atalanta. Wirtz’s individual performances have been exceptional, as he scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
Given his impressive performances, it is no surprise that Xabi Alonso has compared Wirtz to one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi. Alonso spoke highly of Wirtz’s ability, saying that while many players can look good on the pitch, only a few have the intelligence to make the right decisions at the right time. He compared Wirtz to Messi, explaining that, like the Argentine, Wirtz understands when to make the simple pass and when to play a more brilliant move. Alonso praised Wirtz for his smart decision-making, saying that it is this quality that makes him such an effective player.
Wirtz’s ability to play simple, intelligent passes and his decision-making on the field are qualities that make him stand out from many other players. Alonso’s comparison to Messi is a testament to the young German’s talent and potential. It is clear that Wirtz has the ability to become one of the best players in the world if he continues to develop at his current rate.
Manchester City’s interest in Wirtz shows that they are looking to secure the best young talents in the world to maintain their dominance in English football and Europe. Guardiola has built a world-class team at City, and the addition of a player like Wirtz would only strengthen their already impressive squad. The club is clearly looking to the future, and Wirtz could be a key figure for them in the years to come.
The potential signing of Wirtz is just one of many moves that Manchester City could make in the coming transfer windows. As De Bruyne’s contract situation remains unresolved, the club must plan for life after the Belgian playmaker. Wirtz offers a perfect replacement for De Bruyne, as he possesses many of the same qualities that have made De Bruyne such a vital player for City. Wirtz’s creativity, vision, and technical ability would allow him to slot seamlessly into Guardiola’s system, and he could become the new playmaker for City in the future.
In conclusion, Manchester City is working hard to strengthen its squad, and the potential signing of Florian Wirtz shows that the club is planning for the future. Wirtz has been in superb form this season, and his performances have earned him comparisons to Lionel Messi. Guardiola sees Wirtz as the ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, and City is likely to make a move for him in the summer. As the Belgian midfielder’s contract nears its end, City will need to ensure that they have the right player to step into his shoes, and Wirtz could be that player. The future of Manchester City looks bright, with the club continuing to target the best young talents in world football.
