Arsenal & Russo punished as Lyon snatch UWCL advantage

Chelsea's date with destiny: Can Blues finally take down Barca?

Maresca should focus on winning, not arguing with Chelsea fans

The best Didier Drogba interview you'll ever read

Manchester United's craziest European comebacks - ranked

Editors' Picks

Infantino says U.S. will be welcoming to fans for World Cup

Antony sets up Man Utd reunion with De Gea in Conference League

Tevez vows to bring Messi & Ronaldo together for his farewell match 

Maguire the hero as Man Utd stage EPIC Europa League recovery

'I don't trust you' - Mourinho explains Eto'o treatment

📽️ | Furious Dembele refuses to accept Man of the Match award

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: Has Raphinha got it wrapped up?

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Man City favourites to sign Wirtz</li><li>Bayern and Madrid remain interested</li><li>Wirtz wanted as De Bruyne replacement </li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Man City hold 'crucial advantage' in race to sign Florian Wirtz as Pep Guardiola's side confident of beating rivals Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star

<p>Per <a href="https://www.givemesport.com/manchester-city-kevin-de-bruyne-florian-wirtz/" target="_blank"><em>Give Me Sport</em></a>, City hold a key advantage in their pursuit of Leverkusen's star midfielder Wirtz this summer. The English side<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/pep-guardiola-kevin-de-bruyne-replacement-man-city-bayer-leverkusen-florian-wirtz/blt4976331f1c9be0b6" target="_blank"> have identified the Germany star as a direct replacement</a> for Kevin De Bruyne, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/kevin-de-bruyne-official-midfielder-confirms-leave-man-city-emotional-message-fans/blt539077ebbba59885" target="_blank">who is all set to leave the club this summer</a> as a free agent.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 21-year-old has also attracted interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but the report adds that Leverkusen could be reluctant to sell their star player to a direct rival and help them strengthen their squad. This is where City hold the advantage as they remain hopeful of securing the player's signature. The reigning German champions are expected to demand a fee in the region of £100 million ($128m).</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Madrid and Liverpool also remain hopeful of signing Wirtz in the summer. With <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/xabi-alonso-keeps-real-madrid-waiting-bayer-leverkusen-boss-stuns-spanish-media-press-conference-expected-big-announcement/bltbe674d57b800e9ad" target="_blank">Xabi Alonso linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu</a> next season, Los Blancos would hope that the Spanish would be able to convince the midfielder to follow him to the Spanish capital.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>At present, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/florian-wirtz-sidelined-bayer-leverkusen-injury-blow-champions-league-bayern-munich-bundesliga-title-defence/blte9eff8b699302ab0" target="_blank">Wirtz remains sidelined for several weeks</a> after he suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during Leverkusen's Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen last month. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR FLORIAN WIRTZ?

Man City hold 'crucial advantage' in race to sign Florian Wirtz as Pep Guardiola's side confident of beating rivals Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star | Goal.com

Manchester City are being considered favourites to win the transfer race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz.

Man City hold &apos;crucial advantage&apos; in race to sign Florian Wirtz as Pep Guardiola&apos;s side confident of beating rivals Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star