Pep Guardiola has chosen Florian Wirtz to replace Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has chosen Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz to replace Kevin De Bruyne, and ‘it is now confirmed’, according to Sky Sports Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The Germany international has been on the radar of Man City for months, and they approached him and his representatives during the January transfer window.

However, Wirtz rejected their advances as he wanted to end the 2024-25 campaign with Bayer.

The Bundesliga club are hoping to hand him a new contract extension, but they are willing to sell the 21-year-old for €100 million in the summer, provided Man City are also ready to include a sell-on clause in a deal.

The reigning Premier League champions are preparing for life without the 33-year-old De Bruyne, and Wirtz is the perfect replacement.

He helped Bayer land the Bundesliga title last term, weighing in with 11 goals and 12 assists, and he has continued his brilliance this term, with 15 goals and 12 assists to his name in 35 games across all competitions.

The attacking midfielder can also plan on both wings and as a number 9 if need be, and Man City could do with such a player within their ranks.

They need to make significant improvements across all positions in the summer if they want to challenge for the Premier League title next term after finding themselves 16 points behind leaders Liverpool after 25 games, and adding Wirtz to the team will go a long way.

Man City strolled to a 4-0 win against Newcastle United at the weekend but will attempt to overturn a 3-2 deficit when they face Real Madrid in the second-leg of the Champions League knockout playoffs on Wednesday in Spain.

Such a game will determine if they have really turned a corner or not, and Guardiola will hope his players can turn up.

Man City need to make quality recruitment in the summer regardless of how 2024-25 ends, and breaking the bank for the Bundesliga star could be worth it.