FootyChatter.com

By JACK GAUGHAN Published: 02: 59 AEDT, 18 February 2025 | Updated: 05: 43 AEDT, 18 February 2025 48 View comments Manchester City have identified Germany international Florian Wirtz as a target before another round of squad rebuilding. The attacking midfielder, who has 27 goals and assists for Bayer Leverkusen so far this season and is wanted by Bayern Munich, has long been on City’s radar. But interest is set to increase as the Premier League champions continue to drive down the average age of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Wirtz is valued at north of £85million and Leverkusen want to tie the 21-year-old down to a new contract, with two years left to run on his current deal. While City didn’t move for Wirtz in January, there is an awareness that strengthening in midfield in an era after Kevin De Bruyne is paramount. De Bruyne’s contract expires in the coming months and the club legend turns 34 in June. The Belgian’s future remains up in the air and Guardiola is managing his game time. Florian Wirtz (right) has 27 goals and assists for Bayer Leverkusen so far this season Kevin De Bruyne’s contract expires in the coming months and he will turn 34 in June Manager Pep Guardiola is keen to bring down the average age of his Manchester City squad Wirtz is seen as one of the most revered young midfielders in Europe and several clubs are primed for a scramble for his signature. As well as Vincent Kompany’s Bayern, Wednesday's Champions League opponents Real Madrid are credited with interest. Bayern have talked up landing Wirtz given his partnership with Jamal Musiala at international level. Phil Foden is seen as being capable of dovetailing in a way Musiala has for Germany. City were among those keeping an eye on Musiala’s situation during protracted contract negotiations at Bayern – ended by signing until 2030 last week - but had suspected the ex-Chelsea academy star would commit to fresh terms. Leverkusen, second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern, had watched City’s James Mc Atee earlier in the campaign. City now have one of the oldest squads in the Premier League and alongside De Bruyne in midfield is Ilkay Gundogan (34), Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva (both 30). Nico Gonzalez, the £50m capture from Porto, is 23 and impressed on his league debut during the 4-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend. Defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis are raw talents, with Saturday’s hat-trick hero Omar Marmoush hitting his prime at 26 years old. There remains money to spend in the summer after the £185m transfer business, with Juventus full back Andrea Cambiaso a potential arrival. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group