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Wirtz has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Leverkusen this season Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is one of the most in demand midfielders in football and many expected him to be the natural successor to Kevin de Bruyne at Manchester City. But BBC Sport understands Pep Guardiola's side are withdrawing their initial interest in the German international owing to the soaring costs of any deal. It is estimated that an agreement to sign the 22-year-old would represent the biggest deal in City's history, potentially reaching as much as 300m euros inclusive of transfer fees and wages. While there is acknowledgement that Wirtz is among the leading young talents in European football and has been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, City are concerned the cost of the deal is over-inflated. In the past, City have have shown they are prepared to walk away from transfers if they believe a deal does not represent value for money. Previously, Guardiola's side fell short of signing Fred, Jorginho and Frenkie de Jong because of cost-related issues, before signing current Ballon d'Or winner Rodri in 2019. 'Flo doing Flo things' - why Europe's elite want Wirtz Guardiola defends season with Community Shield claim De Bruyne to get Man City farewell in last home game Similarly, they cooled their interest in then Tottenham striker Harry Kane because of the size of the transfer fee before landing Erling Haaland for £51. 2m in 2022. In 2020, City signed Ruben Dias after previously walking away from deals for Harry Maguire and Kalidou Koulibaly. The decision to withdraw from the race to land Wirtz should also be viewed as a commitment to Phil Foden's role in Guardiola's plans. Foden has long been seen as the long-term heir to outgoing creator De Bruyne and the addition of Wirtz may have put the Englishman's place in Guardiola's plans in question. But, as things stand, Wirtz is not expected to arrive. City will remain in the market for a new creative midfielder - with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White among the options. Lineker to leave BBC sooner than planned after antisemitism row Mc Ilroy and the 'non-conforming' driver controversy Why Man City have cooled interest in Wirtz A dramatic retelling of a terrorist attack on UK soil Louis Theroux visits the West Bank to meet Israeli settlers The lifeblood at the heart of every fridge A con artist with multiple fake identities hides a dark past 'Scheffler's Woods-like mentality should worry chasing pack' England bolters, Steward's potential switch & a 'Carewell' 'It can't all come from the manager' - Keown on how Arsenal can become winners Mc Ilroy and the 'non-conforming' driver controversy How 'Beckham-like' Rice inspired Arsenal win. Video How 'Beckham-like' Rice inspired Arsenal win How 'delicious' Verstappen move caught Mc Laren by surprise Can anyone stop 'unrivalled' Chelsea after treble? Baltimore scores twice as Chelsea beat Man Utd to secure treble. Video Baltimore scores twice as Chelsea beat Man Utd to secure treble Ratcliffe absence obscures the big issues at Man Utd Winning first trophy like a switch going off - Kane 'Inspirational' Vardy's perfect Leicester parting. Video'Inspirational' Vardy's perfect Leicester parting 'The old place will live on - but this was end of an era for Goodison Park' A tale of nine points & the 99th minute - how Ajax blew title 'This is the year of the underdog - and I love it! ' How Glasner led Palace through darkness to light of FA Cup glory Palace shock Man City to win first major trophy in their history. Video Palace shock Man City to win first major trophy in their history 'Just get rid of VAR! ' - Rooney baffled by Henderson decision. Video'Just get rid of VAR! ' - Rooney baffled by Henderson decision 'You see ghosts of your mates' - what Goodison means to Everton fans Unknown to Real Madrid's £50m man - the rise of Huijsen 'That's very cheeky' - was Tebogo 'disrespectful' in Diamond League win? Video'That's very cheeky' - was Tebogo 'disrespectful' in Diamond League win? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.