Manchester City have been presented with an obstacle in their bid to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.
The Citizens started their squad rebuild in the January transfer window, having struggled to meet their usual high standards this season.
They bolstered their defensive options with the additions of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, while Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush arrived to bolster Man City's midfield and forward line respectively.
Man City will look to make further signings in the summer transfer window, and an attacking midfielder may be near the top of their list due to the uncertainty surrounding Kevin De Bruyne's future.
As it stands, the Belgium international will become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season.
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Man City dealt Wirtz blow
Even if he stays, De Bruyne realises that he may have to settle for a bit-part role after struggling with a number of injury issues as well as finding it tough to reach his past performance levels.
Guardiola is said to view Leverkusen's Wirtz as a dream replacement for De Bruyne, but the Citizens will have to win a transfer battle to secure the attacker's services.
Bayern Munich are among the clubs that will rival Man City in the race for Wirtz after Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a member of the club's supervisory board, declared the Bavarians' interest in the Leverkusen star.
"Uli Hoeness said that Wirtz is his dream - and that was putting it politely," Rummenigge told AZ: "Everyone at FC Bayern agrees that he is exactly the player we want to sign. Not to weaken Leverkusen, but to strengthen us. Wirtz is the best player in Germany.
"It's not the market value that's important, but the amount that would ultimately have to be paid in a transfer. That will undoubtedly be difficult because Wirtz is a very sought-after player."
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How much will Wirtz cost this summer?
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with Wirtz, while reigning European champions Real Madrid have been mooted as another potential destination.
Wirtz's suitors will certainly have to splash the clash if they are to prise him away from the BayArena in the summer transfer window.
Leverkusen could demand a significant fee in the region of £125m for a player who is under contract until the summer of 2027.
There has been a suggestion that Wirtz could sign a new deal with Leverkusen which would include a release clause, but a new contract is yet to be announced by the German club.
