Manchester City are seemingly about to concede defeat in their efforts to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz, who has apparently reached an agreement with another European giant.
The Citizens were thought to have earmarked the Germany international as an ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who will be ending an illustrious 10-year spell at the club when his contract expires this summer.
Wirtz recently confirmed that he was open to leaving Leverkusen and taking the next step in his career, ostensibly putting Pep Guardiola's side on red alert, but they were always bound to face stiff competition.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been heavily linked with the 22-year-old, who boasts a terrific 57 goals and 63 assists from 195 appearances for Xabi Alonso's side in all tournaments.
According to journalist Christian Falk, it is the newly-crowned Bundesliga champions who have won the race for his signature, as Bayern have now reached an agreement with Wirtz over a summer deal.
Wirtz 'agrees Bayern move' amid Man City talk
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Vincent Kompany's side are reportedly prepared to €100m (£84.6m) to bring Wirtz to the Allianz Arena this summer, two years before the playmaker's contract at Leverkusen is due to expire.
Alternatively, Bayern would be willing to wait until 2026 to strike a deal for the playmaker if Leverkusen price him out of a move this time around, as Die Werkself will have significantly less negotiating power next year.
Rather than fill the boots of De Bruyne at Man City, Wirtz will make the switch to the German champions as a long-term replacement for Thomas Muller, who is also set to embark on a new adventure this summer.
The 2003-born protege will also link arms with fellow youngster and compatriot Jamal Musiala, formerly tipped as another possible De Bruyne replacement before extending his contract at the Allianz Arena.
Wirtz has contributed 16 goals and 13 assists from 43 matches for Leverkusen this season and will follow head coach Alonso out of the door after the Spaniard confirmed on Friday that he would also be departing, ahead of an expected move to Real Madrid.
What Wirtz alternatives can Man City target?
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With Musiala putting pen to paper on a new deal at Bayern Munich and Wirtz about to join him in Bavaria, Man City's shortlist of ideal De Bruyne replacements has taken two major hits.
The Citizens may now have to look closer to home to find the Belgian's suitable successor, and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White appears to be the next best thing.
However, City have also been tipped to give Morgan Rogers a second shot at the Etihad, having witnessed the former Middlesbrough man flourish at Aston Villa since deciding he had no future in Manchester.
Regarding the latest developments surrounding De Bruyne's next move, the 33-year-old is apparently opening up to the idea of joining a particular Serie A side following lengthy talks with their sporting director.
Ben Knapton
