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Manchester City may have just played their biggest pass of the summer — and it's not even kickoff yet.
The former Premier League champions have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for star midfielder Florian Wirtz, as per Sports Zone.
City are ready to spend over £100 million to bring the 22-year-old to the Etihad as they prepare for life after Kevin De Bruyne.
Why Man City are now leading the race to sign Florian Wirtz?
As per talkSPORT, City have already held personal talks with Wirtz’s parents in Manchester and are ready to spend over £100 million to bring him in.
The deal isn't signed yet, but talks are moving quickly, and the pressure is on.
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Wirtz has been a standout for Leverkusen, helping them win their first-ever Bundesliga title with an unbeaten domestic run.
He scored goals, created chances, and even made Bayern Munich sweat — and now he could be doing the same in sky blue.
The German playmaker has also been heavily linked with Bayern and Real Madrid.
However, with Bayern dragging their boots and Madrid focused elsewhere, City are looking to sneak in and seal the deal before anyone else can even set the table.
Florian Wirtz: A perfect replacement for Kevin De Bruyne?
Kevin De Bruyne’s time at City is coming to an end, and Pep Guardiola is already planning his next move.
“There was a little bit of shock,” De Bruyne said after learning he wouldn’t be offered a new contract. “Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I have to accept it.”
With no new deal on the table, the Belgian maestro is heading for the exit, and City need fresh legs — and fast. Wirtz is seen as the long-term answer. Versatile, sharp, and still young, he fits Guardiola’s style and could lead City’s new era.
Wirtz is one of the hottest young midfielders in Europe, as he guided Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season.
He chipped in with 18 goals and 19 assists across all competitions last season, proving he’s not just hype — he delivers.
Leverkusen’s frustration with Bayern’s public pursuit of Wirtz might just help City’s case.
CEO Fernando Carro made his feelings clear: “They talk so much, it’s actually not appropriate.” City, staying quiet but acting fast, may now have the upper hand.
Wirtz isn’t fully sold yet, but if City can convince him to swap red for sky blue, they might just pull off the most clever goal of the summer.
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