Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has claimed that he does not expect Barcelona and Real Madrid target Florian Wirtz to leave in the summer.
Speaking to BILD (h/t Diario AS), Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has hinted that he expects Florian Wirtz to stay put at the club beyond the summer, amid interest from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Wirtz has emerged as one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe after enjoying a breakthrough campaign last time out. The 18-year-old has taken his game up a notch in the ongoing season, having produced a tally of ten goals and 13 assists from 29 matches in all competitions, helping Die Werkself push for a third-place finish in the Bundesliga.
Wirtz has also broken into the German national team, making his senior debut for Die Mannschaft in September last year and has earned four caps thus far.
Wirtz’s sensational displays over the past 18-20 months have led to strong interest from elite clubs from across Europe. Real Madrid and Barcelona, in particular, have been keeping a keen eye on the teenage sensation with an eye on a potential summer swoop, along with Premier League club Newcastle United.
There's lot of interest around Florian Wirtz – it's normal as he's one of the best talents in the world. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern are watching him closely for the future – nothing advanced. ⭐️?? #Wirtz
No move expected in 2022. Bayer Leverkusen are planning to keep him. pic.twitter.com/n65284Y7KO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 3, 2022
However, Carro has insisted that he does not see Wirtz leaving the Bundesliga giants for the next couple of years. “I don’t think Wirtz will leave before 2024. I hope he will be with us, at least, until 2024,” the Bayer Leverkusen chief executive said.
Wirtz has a contract with Leverkusen that runs until the summer of 2026 after signing an extension in May last year. Apart from Real Madrid and Barcelona, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the 18-year-old German international in the recent past.
Able to play anywhere in the final third, the versatile Wirtz would be a fine addition to any of the elite clubs that are following him. And the statement from Carro insisting that he is likely to continue at the BayArena beyond the summer is unlikely to be seen as a blow by the interested parties, especially Real Madrid, who are open to delaying a move for him until 2023.
