Real Madrid are reportedly at the head of the queue for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz and could sign the Germany international during next summer's transfer window.
The 21-year-old has been in outstanding form for Leverkusen during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 18 goals and registering 19 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions.
Wirtz has 11 goals and 11 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances, with the German outfit winning the title, while he has four goals and four assists in nine Europa League outings.
Leverkusen have a 2-0 lead over Roma ahead of the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, and the attacker has also been key in his team's run to the final of the German Cup, contributing three goals and four assists in five appearances in the competition.
The Bundesliga club's CEO Fernando Carro recently said that Wirtz could not be allowed to leave for "less than €150m (£128m)" amid claims that a number of clubs are keen to sign him.
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Real Madrid 'favourites to sign Florian Wirtz in 2025'
Wirtz, who has a contract with the Bundesliga champions until the summer of 2027, is highly unlikely to leave Leverkusen this summer.
However, a departure in 2025 is thought to be likely, and according to Bild, Real Madrid are firmly at the head of the queue for his services.
The report claims that Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also keen on his signature, but Los Blancos are pushing to bring him to Bernabeu next year.
In March, Wirtz's agent and father said that the German has no plans to leave Leverkusen at this stage of his career.
"Florian has a contract in Leverkusen until 2027," Hans-Joachim Wirtz told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger. "That is roughly how long he will stay at Leverkusen. There's no answer what will happen when. We should wait for the next two years and then we'll see what happens.
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Florian Wirtz's future likely to be linked to Xabi Alonso
"Florian is very lucky to have Xabi Alonso, who brings a lot of qualities. He has a great relationship with the whole team. It's the right coach at the right time."
Alonso has already committed himself to remain as Leverkusen manager for another season, but he could be on the move next summer, with Real Madrid thought to view him as the ideal replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.
As a result, Alonso could again manage Wirtz in the Spanish capital, with the two said to have a close relationship.
Wirtz progressed through the youth system at FC Koln before joining Leverkusen in 2020, and he has represented Die Werkself on 148 occasions, scoring 41 goals and registering 49 assists.
Matt Law
