According to reports, Manchester City are interested in Liverpool-linked Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, although a January transfer is unlikely.
Wirtz is one of the world’s most promising players, and he has been crucial to his team’s success this season.
This season, Leverkusen remains unbeaten in the Bundesliga and leads Bayern Munich by four points.
Xabi Alonso pulls out the best in all of his players, but Wirtz’s development has been noticeable, which is even more impressive considering he was recently sidelined with an ACL injury.
The 20-year-old is valued at €100 million (£86.8 million) by Transfermarkt and has eight goals and 12 assists in 23 games in 2023/24.
He has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, with Liverpool appearing to be the most likely destination if a Leverkusen exodus transpires.
Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola and their financial clout, should not be underestimated.
Although the Spanish legend was unable to convince Declan Rice or Jude Bellingham to join the club over the summer, his presence alone makes the Etihad a very enticing destination for a young player of Wirtz’s level.
A January signing may be a game changer in the Premier League title race, but according to The Athletic, it is extremely improbable.
A winter swoop “is considered off-limits,” according to the paper, with “no major movement expected at the moment.”
City have not forgotten about Lucas Paqueta, who is still ‘on the radar’ after turning down West Ham’s £100 million+ value in the summer.
However, a betting investigation against Paqueta has ‘put a halt’ to their pursuit.
City signed Matheus Nunes from Wolves as a replacement for the former Lyon playmaker.
Kalvin Phillips would ‘definitely’ quit the Cityzens this month, according to the source.
Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly leading the race to sign him, and Guardiola recently stated that if Phillips is sold, he may buy a replacement, despite the fact that the player has only started four games for the club since coming in 2022.
“Kalvin is a player for us; I don’t want to predict anything,” Pep told reporters. “Everyone is conscious of his situation.
“It depends on whether or not it occurs.” If this happens, we’ll talk about it. The market is challenging in January…After we make our decision, we still have tremendous things to play for.”