Barcelona will not be part of the race to secure the services of 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, a target for Arsenal and Real Madrid.
According to a report by German outlet Sport BILD, Florian Wirtz is no longer the subject of interest from Barcelona. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid remain keen on signing the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker. However, the Blaugrana cannot afford the Bundesliga club’s asking price of €150 million.
The rise and rise of Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz has been blossoming into one of the best players in the world in the last few years. A native of Pulheim, he spent his formative years with three clubs in Germany before graduating from the youth division at Bayer Leverkusen. However, he only spent half a year in the club’s academy.
Wirtz broke into the first-team squad at Bayer Leverkusen as a 17-year-old, becoming the fourth-youngest debutant in Bundesliga history. The 21-year-old has overcome long-term injuries to become a pivotal figure for Die Werkself and played a leading role in the club’s double-winning 2023/24 campaign.
The youngster has been hot off the blocks this term, amassing six goals and one assist in nine appearances across all competitions. Meanwhile, the German international’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen will demand around €150 million to part ways with him.
A man in demand
Arsenal’s interest in Florian Wirtz is understandable. The Gunners are keen on scaling new heights under Mikel Arteta, and the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker can be a ceiling raiser at the Emirates. However, it is unclear if Arsenal will have the funds to afford a deal worth €150 million to sign the youngster.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid have regularly locked horns for highly-rated players over the years. Recent reports have claimed that the Merengues are the front-runners to sign Wirtz next year, and the young playmaker can be the long-term successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. However, Barcelona will not remain in the race to secure Wirtz’s services next year.
Barcelona will unlikely have the funds to afford a deal worth €150 million to sign the 21-year-old German international. So, it is hardly surprising that the Catalan giants will bow out of the chase. As for Real Madrid, they should be in the pole position to land the Bayer Leverkusen star if he leaves Die Werkself next year.
