Manchester City plotting move for Florian Wirtz to replace Kevin De Bruyne: Report

Pep Guardiola feels Wirtz will be an excellent successor to the Belgian maestro.

Florian Wirtz, a German and Bayer Leverkusen player, is apparently considered by Manchester City as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Since making his debut as a youngster, the 21-year-old midfielder has excelled for Leverkusen. He played a key role in the team’s historic, undefeated season last year, which saw them win their first Bundesliga title.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City now think the German can provide the same energy in midfield as their departing iconic playmaker, despite rumours of his close links to Real Madrid.

Florian Wirtz has become one of the most entertaining players in world football, with 41 goals in his 57 games since the beginning of the previous campaign.

It should come as no surprise that Wirtz has attracted interest and has been considered a viable De Bruyne substitute. Before moving to Manchester, the Belgian was a star in Germany himself, leading Wolfsburg to the DFB Pokal and a Bundesliga second-place finish. Since then, he has made 413 appearances for City, recording 174 assists, 106 goals, and every trophy imaginable.

🚨🆕 Bayer Leverkusen’s ideal scenario is to convince Florian #Wirtz to sign a new contract. His current contract runs until 2027 ✔️If the 21y/o wants to leave next summer, Leverkusen are determined to sell him abroad and not to FC Bayern.So far, Man City's interest is the… pic.twitter.com/z8gdv4Sj5J

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 18, 2024

Both De Bruyne and Wirtz have an uncertain summer. Wirtz will be the focus of some of Europe’s major clubs. However, it is anticipated that the Belgian will leave Europe, with MLS and Saudi Pro League teams vying for his services.

Asked as to whether De Bruyne can be replaced, Guardiola offered a familiar answer. He said: “There are things that cannot be substituted. To say bye to this type of player is so difficult. I’d love Vincent [Kompany] to be here eternally, Sergio [Aguero], too, and now Kevin.

“To say bye to these connections, these relations, for the manager, the mates, the fans, is not easy. In England or in every country, there are players who are unique, that represent what the club want to be and Kevin is one of them.”

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