German club Bayern Munich view €125m Arsenal transfer target Florian Wirtz as their ‘absolute dream’ signing this summer, according to reports.
The Gunners are already facing competition from Manchester City to sign the Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder at the end of the season.
Arsenal are ‘fully committed’ in their attempts to convince the 21-year-old to pick north London as his next destination but it won’t be an easy task.
According to fresh reports from Sky in Germany, Wirtz remains Bayern’s ‘absolute dream target’ target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
It is thought that Bayern have already held meetings and talks with Wirtz’s representatives and are ‘working in the background’ on a potential deal.
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Wirtz played a key role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double last season under Xabi Alonso and he has continued to shine this term.
Leverkusen’s hierarchy are hopeful of convincing Wirtz to sign a contract extension before the summer transfer window – which would keep him tied to the club until 2027 – although he is currently hesitant over a new deal.
Leverkusen are looking to include a release clause of €125 million (£104.3m), which could be activated from the summer of 2026.
With Arsenal and City interested in a deal for Wirtz, Bayern legend Franck Ribery has urged his old club to do everything they can to sign the player.
‘If there’s any possibility, Bayern must sign Florian Wirtz,’ Ribery recently told German outlet BILD.
‘Musiala and Wirtz can play very well together in a team. They’re alike because they both have incredible talent.
‘But they’re not alike in their playing style. Good footballers always get along on the pitch. Maybe FC Bayern should adjust their system a bit, away from the traditional wingers.
‘I would play with a true No.9 and behind him in the half spaces with Wirtz and Musiala, a little bit further inside. Then the wings will still be open for strong attacking full-backs. That could work very well.’
If Wirtz does not agree to sign a new deal, there would be no release clause but it is thought that Leverkusen would still look to sell him, demanding a transfer fee of €150m (£125.2m).
Wirtz’s current contract at Leverkusen is set to expire at the end of June 2027.
He has spent his entire senior career at Leverkusen to date, having joined the club’s youth team from FC Köln in 2020.
Wirtz has played a total of 191 games for Leverkusen so far, registering 56 goals and 63 assists.
The Germany international was crowned Bundesliga Player of the Season last term.
Source: metro.co.uk – All rights belong to the original publisher.
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