Arsenal and Man City sent clear transfer message as they target Ballon d'Or nominee
Today at 11:39 AM
Arsenal and Manchester City have little to no chance of signing Florian Wirtz next summer, according to Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO.
Regarded as one of the best young players in the world right now, Wirtz’s profile received a huge boost last season as Leverkusen went the entire domestic campaign unbeaten.
Xabi Alonso’s team lost just one of their 53 matches in all competitions, winning the Bundesliga and the German Cup, with their only loss coming in the Europa League final against Atalanta.
Wirtz was fundamental to their success, recording 18 goals and 20 assists in 29 appearances, and as a result was named Bundesliga Player of the Season and finished 12th in the Ballon d’Or.
The attacking midfielder also starred at Euro 2024 for Germany, scoring twice including the opening goal of the tournament against Scotland.
With his form not dipping this season, the 21-year-old remains a top target for the biggest clubs around Europe, including Arsenal, City and Real Madrid.
It was recently reported that the Gunners were in fact leading the race for his signature and were hopeful that they could strike a deal next summer worth around €100m (£83.5m).
However, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has now moved to firmly deny claims that Wirtz would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
‘Very high and why shouldn't they be high?’ Carro replied when asked what the chances were of his star player remaining at Die Werkself.
‘As long as he has a contract here, as long as he feels comfortable here, as long as he knows that he can play top football here and has a top team and can celebrate successes, then he is happy.
‘The thoughts of all the players, coaches, coaching staff, and management of the club are in the here and now. We have enough to do on the pitch until the end of the year.
‘It often annoys me that there is such speculation. I can admit that.
"But the here and now is important, nobody is interested in next season at the moment and nothing has been finalised.’
Carro also insisted that manager Alonso, who was tipped to join Liverpool last summer and continues to be linked with Real Madrid, would be staying put.
On the pitch, Leverkusen have lost just two of their opening 18 games in all competitions but currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga, nine points off Bayern Munich.
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