Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City strike verbal agreement over Florian Wirtz as Bayern Munich tension grows – €50 million discount offered | OneFootball

Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly moved close to a verbal agreement regarding the transfer of Florian Wirtz to the Premier League.

The Germany international is believed to be the number one target within the Etihad Stadium to replace Kevin De Bruyne, after it was confirmed earlier this year that the ongoing campaign would be the final one for the Belgian in Sky Blue.

The 33-year-old has revealed to reporters in recent weeks that discussions between himself, CEO Ferran Soriano, and director of football Txiki Begiristain were relatively brief, with City insisting upon the natural separation of the two parties this summer.

That leaves both parties with plenty of work to do as De Bruyne and his entourage seek a fresh challenge from the start of next season amid interest from Serie A and Major League Soccer, while Etihad chiefs will need to replace arguably their greatest-ever player.

Manchester City face an uphill task to persuade Florian Wirtz to make the leap abroad and into the Premier League however, following recent indications from German media that an agreement on personal terms has already been struck with Bayern Munich.

Now however, according to the information of Sky Sport’s Sacha Tavolieri, Bayer Leverkusen ‘want to do everything’ to prevent Wirtz joining Bayern despite a verbal agreement – a leak of information that is said to have caused ‘rumblings’ at the BayArena.

It is being claimed that Leverkusen are demanding €100 million from a foreign club – that is not a direct competitor – for Wirtz, while Bayern would have to pay €150 million to secure the player’s services.

In a staggering development, the report states Leverkusen and Manchester City have been in ‘advanced discussions’ for several weeks while establishing ‘an initial basis for a verbal agreement’ over a transfer, with the aim being to then streamline exchanges between the Premier League side and the player’s entourage.

Unfortunately for City, Bayern Munich are said to have presented the best salary offer at present and while they are continuing to ‘push’ for a final agreement involving all parties, Etihad Stadium officials ‘could still turn things around’.

Alternatives for Manchester City in the creative department of midfield have been largely unreported, although a number of names to bolster their central ranks have emerged in the media across recent weeks.

There is believed to be concrete interest from within the Etihad Stadium concerning Nottingham Forest and England international Morgan Gibbs-White, although it remains to be seen whether an expected £100 million valuation on the player could be negotiated down.

Elsewhere and City are said to have identified AC Milan and the Netherlands’ Tijjani Reijnders as an option for the midfield ranks, with the Italian side only expecting a sale via a fee north of the £55 million price tag that saw Sandro Tonali join Newcastle United.