Manchester City give Pep Guardiola €120m to sign Real Madrid’s most wanted player

Manchester City is reportedly preparing to extend Pep Guardiola’s contract until 2026, as reported by several prominent media outlets. In line with this, the club is actively looking to reinforce its squad to maintain its dominance and competitiveness in the coming seasons. One of the top targets on their radar is Bayer Leverkusen’s talented midfielder, Florian Wirtz.

According to *CaughtOffside*, Manchester City currently leads the race to secure Wirtz’s signature. However, the competition is fierce, with Bayern Munich also showing strong interest in the German international.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have likewise entered the fray, with both clubs reportedly keen on acquiring the player. Wirtz’s transfer fee is anticipated to be around €120 million, a valuation that Real Madrid views as excessive. This has tempered their immediate pursuit, although they remain attentive to his development.

Real Madrid regards Wirtz as one of the brightest talents in football, with the potential to become a generational player. The club is carefully evaluating its options, adhering to its recent strategy of avoiding high-stakes bidding wars. Instead, Real Madrid prefers players who prioritize joining their team, as seen in recent signings like Jude Bellingham and their ongoing interest in Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both of whom could join on free transfers in 2025.

While Manchester City seems poised to make a decisive move for Wirtz, Real Madrid’s long-term strategy ensures they remain a formidable contender in this transfer saga.