Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has fired a warning shot to Manchester City and Real Madrid over their pursuits of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.
After spearheading Leverkusen's astounding run to the 2023-24 Bundesliga title, Wirtz has continued to go from strength to strength under Xabi Alonso's wing.
The 21-year-old has registered a terrific 15 goals and 12 assists in 34 appearances this season, including 19 contributions (nine goals, 10 assists) from just 21 top-flight games.
Wirtz has also found the back of the net six times in the Champions League, but his contract situation is one to watch, as his terms are currently due to run out in the summer of 2027.
The Germany international has not penned a contract extension at the BayArena since the summer of 2022, and Leverkusen are braced for bids for the 2003-born starlet at the end of the season.
Bayern's Dreesen: 'We want the best players'
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Most of Europe's biggest names have been linked with a summer approach for Wirtz, but Man City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich appear to have the most serious interest at this juncture.
Back in December, it was reported that City could try to include some players in a part-exchange deal for the Germany international, whom Bayer Leverkusen value in the region of £83m.
However, speaking to Sky Deutschland after Bayern's recent 3-0 win over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, Dreesen did not shy away from name-checking Wirtz when delivering a transfer update.
"Florian Wirtz is one of the best German players - and you know how we have handled it in recent years: We want the best players to be with us," the Bayern CEO said, before sporting director Max Eberl claimed that his Leverkusen deal includes no release clause.
"If I am correctly informed, the player does not have an exit clause. We have to make sure that our finances are in order and we want to make internal transfers first. Then we will see what is possible in the summer," Eberl added.
Wirtz came through the Koln youth system for 10 years before joining Leverkusen for just £167k in 2020, since when he has conjured up 56 goals and 62 assists in 186 appearances in all tournaments.
Could Man City still benefit from Wirtz to Bayern Munich?
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The powers-that-be at Manchester City have seemingly identified Wirtz as an ideal successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who is in the last six months of his deal and free to talk to foreign clubs.
De Bruyne did score the winner in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup triumph over Leyton Orient, but his 33 years might now be catching up to him, and the Saudi Pro League are said to be keeping an eye on his situation.
However, Man City might still stand to benefit if Wirtz moves to Bayern Munich, who may have a hard time fitting both him and Jamal Musiala into the same starting XI.
The Premier League champions are also understood to be interested in Musiala, whose contract at the Allianz Arena expires in 2026, so Wirtz heading to Bayern Munich might open the door for City to make their Musiala move.
Ben Knapton
