Manchester City have reportedly decided Florian Wirtz is not worth the record-breaking price tag.
According to BBC Sport, Pep Guardiola’s side has cooled its interest in the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star due to the staggering cost of a potential transfer. Any deal for Wirtz is estimated to hit as much as €300 million when transfer fees and wages are combined, an amount that would make it the most expensive deal in the club’s history.
Wirtz has been central to Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible 2024–25 campaign under Xabi Alonso, helping the club clinch its first-ever Bundesliga title and remain unbeaten in domestic and European competitions. His creativity, vision, and technical prowess have drawn comparisons to top playmakers like Kevin De Bruyne, making him a top target for clubs across Europe.
Manchester City had been seen as a natural landing spot, especially with De Bruyne approaching the latter stages of his career. But club officials are reportedly concerned about the deal’s cost, viewing it as inflated, even for a talent of Wirtz’s caliber.
This isn’t new territory for City. Under Guardiola, the club has walked away from high-profile pursuits before, passing on Fred, Jorginho, and Frenkie de Jong over valuation concerns. Instead, they have focused on smarter signings, including Rodri in 2019, who’s now widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
With Bayern Munich and Liverpool still reportedly interested, the Wirtz saga is far from over, but it looks like Manchester City won’t be part of the final bidding war.
