Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to go head-to-head for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz  | OneFootball

As reported via AZ, Bayern Munich are set to lock horns with Spanish champions Real Madrid for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Over the past few years, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have emerged as Germany’s most promising prospects, and despite their tender ages, the pair have already become significantly influential on the domestic and international levels.

Bayern are making their voices heard

However, while there is an expectation for Musiala to remain with Der Rekordmeister, despite links away from the club, the future of Wirtz has always remained up in the air. It is well documented that Bayern have been monitoring his development in Leverkusen for a number of years, and recently, Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß suggested that signing the 21-year-old was certainly a possibility.

During a panel discussion with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Hoeneß commented that Bayern “can spend 100 million euros on a Harry Kane once, maybe again on a German player, but not four or five times.”

As well as this, speaking to Bild Sport, Max Eberl remarked: “If a player of this calibre like Florian Wirtz or Harry Kane is available and on the market, then we have to take that into account. But a player like that can also cancel.”

Therefore, it is quite clear that the record champions are seriously interested in Die Werkself’s star player, and they are not concerned about making their voices heard. However, they are not the only side showing serious interest in his signature.

Real Madrid are in pole position

It is understood that Los Blancos are preparing to sign Wirtz in 2025, with the 21-year-old considered the ideal replacement for Toni Kroos. On top of this, the report suggests that the Spanish champions are more advanced than Bayern in a deal for Wirtz.

With Madrid now ready to show Wirtz their future pathway, there is an increasing feeling that the midfielder will elect to sign for the club that recently dumped Bayern out of the Champions League. This is the same strategy Real used to lure Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga to the club, and it appears that it may work again.

Another key part of this deal would be the eventual destination of Xabi Alonso. With both Bayern and Real doing what they can to land his signature for the start of the 2025/26 campaign, there is a belief that Wirtz will want to follow the Spaniard.

With Madrid in pole position for both Alonso and Wirtz, there will be a lot for the record champions to do if they are to beat Los Blancos to their signings. Therefore, Bayern will need to make a significant number of changes to the playing squad this summer if they are to challenge for trophies next season, consequently marketing themselves as a more attractive destination than Real Madrid.

GGFN | Will Shopland