Update: |Man City have £25million trump card in Florian Wirtz transfer chase News

Manchester City are keen on Florian Wirtz to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne

It’s not difficult to see the attraction for Manchester City in pursuing the signing of Florian Wirtz.

The Blues are admirers of the Bayer Leverkusen forward and the impending exit of Kevin De Bruyne means there will be a vacancy in the Etihad frontline next season.

Pep Guardiola knows his squad rebuild must continue this summer as City seek to return to the top at home and abroad. Wirtz, at 21, fits the bill perfectly to help lead the next generation with the Blues having looked to the future when spending £125m plus on a clutch of new players in January.

Omar Marmoush, at 25, for as the elder statesman of the winter arrivals and has also made the most immediate impact. He joined from the Bundesliga, a league City have had success in signing players from in the past, and Wirtz is arguably the hottest property in Germany right now.

He helped Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga glory last season and already has more than 150 senior appearances under his belt. Wirtz is comfortable with both feet and an expert in maintaining possession. He plays in a number 10 role for Leverkusen but is capable of playing as an eight with the ability to shift wide if required.

He fits with City shape perfectly and his passing range can break lines and carve open opposition. He also has an ability to glide with ball at feet and his creativity is craved by Europe’s elite clubs.

He has the hallmarks of a Pep player and the prospect of slotting the German international into an attack alongside Marmoush, Erling Haaland and a hopefully revitalised Phil Foden is an appetising one.

The only stumbling block is the price. Wirtz won’t come cheap with Leverkusen likely to seek £100million and potentially more. He has two years left on his contract at the BayArena and Xabi Alonso’s men will drive a hard bargain.

The realistic completion will come from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The latter often swoop for the vest domestic talents but Leverkusen would be loathe to lose him to a direct rival.

The appeal of Madrid is obvious, the Spanish giants are regular La Liga champions and perennial Champions League contenders.

City have obvious appeal too, despite their struggles this season. Playing for Guardiola is a lure and there is an obvious place for Wirtz in the team, something that isn’t quite as clear in Madrid.

And City also have a trump card to play in midfielder James McAtee.

The 22-year-old was wanted by Leverkusen in the January transfer window and has struggled for game time this term despite praise from Guardiola. McAtee is about to enter the final year of his contract and is likely to earn regular football next term. He’s managed 23 appearances this season but starts in the Premier League and Europe have been hard to come by.

A parting of ways for the talented academy graduate is looking increasingly likely and a switch to Leverkusen could suit all parties. The player gets a chance to feature for a leading European team, Leverkusen get a midfielder entering his prime years and City have an extra negotiation to bring to the table.

The Blues may be loathed to lose McAtee, but if his exit helps yield the arrival of Wirtz, and perhaps knocks £25million off the asking price, then it could be good business all round.