Florian Wirtz Set to Disappoint Manchester City and Bayern Munich with Leverkusen Stay
Manchester City and Bayern Munich may need to reconsider their transfer plans as Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz appears to be leaning toward extending his stay at the German club rather than making a high-profile move in the near future.
According to Sport Bild, Wirtz is expected to make his final decision by early April, with current indications suggesting he prefers to remain with Leverkusen. The midfielder's family, who also serve as his advisors, believe a move after the 2026 World Cup would better serve his career development rather than an immediate transfer.
If Wirtz commits to Leverkusen, the club is prepared to offer him a contract extension until 2028. This new deal would reportedly include a release clause of approximately €125 million (£105m/$136m) that would become active in 2026. This arrangement would give potential suitors like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid a clear pathway to sign him in the future while allowing Leverkusen to maintain control over his immediate future.
Should any club attempt to secure Wirtz's services before 2026, Leverkusen would reportedly demand an even higher fee of at least €150 million (£126m/$164m), significantly raising the financial bar for interested parties.
While Bayern Munich might struggle to meet such financial demands, Manchester City remains undeterred by the hefty price tag. The Premier League champions are reportedly willing to pursue the German international when the timing is right. Real Madrid is also closely monitoring the situation, viewing Wirtz as a potential long-term replacement for the aging Luka Modric.
Despite the intense interest from Europe's elite clubs, it now appears likely that any major move for Wirtz will have to wait until after the 2026 World Cup – unless a club is prepared to meet Leverkusen's steep valuation this summer.
The 20-year-old playmaker has been instrumental in Leverkusen's impressive form under Xabi Alonso this season, attracting attention from top clubs across Europe with his exceptional performances. For now, however, it seems the young German star is inclined to continue his development at the BayArena rather than making an immediate leap to one of football's giants.
