Manchester United are “interested” in Florian Wirtz – Sky Sports
Manchester United are one of a number of Europe’s elite clubs “interested” in signing Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz, according to Florian Plettenberg.
The Sky Sports reporter reveals the Red Devils are joined by Premier League rivals Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the hunt for the 21-year-old midfielder, who is widely considered one of the best young talents in world football.
La Liga and European champions Real Madrid are “also in the race” but Plettenberg states Leverkusen “consider a move to the Spanish giants next summer to be unrealistic.”
Similarly, Bayern Munich hold a long-term interest in their domestic rival’s crown jewel but the Sky Sports reporter contends Leverkusen officials are “determined to sell [Wirtz] abroad and not to FC Bayern.”
This would appear to make the Premier League the only viable route out of Germany for Wirtz next summer, given the lack of interest from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and the fact none of Italy’s traditional heavyweights will be able to afford the 21-year-old.
This potentially offers United, who are increasingly looking towards younger talent as the club’s recruitment profile under INEOS, a chance to nab one of Europe’s hottest prospects ahead of continental rivals, as they did in the summer with Leny Yoro.
However, Plettenberg reveals, it is in fact United’s local rivals who have expressed the “most concrete” interest in Wirtz.
Manchester City will be acutely aware of the need to find a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who will turn 34 next summer. And, in Wirtz, they will likely have identified one of the only young midfielders capable of taking over from the brilliant Belgian.
