Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reportedly shaping up to battle for the services of Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz during the summer of 2025.
The 21-year-old was in impressive form for Leverkusen during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering 20 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions.
Wirtz has been a vital player for Germany at Euro 2024, meanwhile, and he found the back of the net against Scotland in the opening match of the competition on June 14.
The attacker, who is valued at £110m by transfermarkt, has a contract with Xabi Alonso's team until June 2027, and despite some speculation, it is highly unlikely that he will be on the move during this summer's transfer window.
However, a move next year is seen as probable, and according to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid and Bayern are expected to go head-to-head for his signature.
Bayern, Real Madrid 'set to battle for Wirtz'
The report claims that Barcelona are also showing an interest, but it remains to be seen whether the Catalan outfit have the financial power to compete for his signature.
Wirtz has scored 41 goals and registered 50 assists in 152 appearances for Leverkusen in all competitions, including 25 goals and 34 assists in 109 Bundesliga appearances.
Earlier this year, Wirtz's representative and his father insisted that Alonso was the right manager for the German to play under at this early stage of his career.
"Florian has a contract in Leverkusen until 2027," Hans-Joachim Wirtz told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger at the time. "That is roughly how long he will stay at Leverkusen.
"There's no answer what will happen when. We should wait for the next two years and then we'll see what happens. Florian is very lucky to have Xabi Alonso, who brings a lot of qualities. He has a great relationship with the whole team. It's the right coach at the right time."
What qualities would Wirtz bring to Bayern, Real Madrid?
Attacking midfielders capable of both scoring and assisting goals are hard to find, and it is not a surprise that some of the biggest clubs in world football are keen on Wirtz.
His form last season was excellent, scoring 11 goals and registering 12 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances, while the attacker managed four goals and four assists in 11 Europa League outings.
In the German Cup, he scored three times and registered four assists in six appearances, and his incredible skill set, which includes goals, assists and game intelligence, will make him one of the most in-demand players in world football if a departure is to occur next summer.
Real Madrid, as is often the case, are said to be confident of convincing him to make the move to Bernabeu, with Bayern seemingly playing catch-up.
A move this summer is unlikely, as he prepares to play in the Champions League next season, and the German could enter the 2024-25 campaign off the back of a European Championship triumph. body check tags ::
