Manchester City have withdrawn from the pursuit of Florian Wirtz, with club officials deeming the financials of any potential deal for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder unfeasible, according to ESPN.
Initially identified as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to depart the Etihad this summer, Wirtz held exploratory talks in Manchester last week.
However, City have now shifted focus to alternative targets, including Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest.
The same report confirmed that City hierarchy believe Wirtz is Bayern Munich-bound, with the German champions leading the race for the 21-year-old’s signature.
Liverpool also hold interest but privately acknowledge that the attacking midfielder is Bayern’s to lose.
Wirtz has been instrumental in Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga-winning campaign, contributing 16 goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.
His technical skill and creativity have made him one of the most sought-after talents in Europe.
With Jeremie Frimpong already undergoing a medical at Liverpool, speculation intensified around a potential Leverkusen exodus, but all signs now point to Wirtz staying in Germany, just not at Leverkusen.
