Man City Ditches Florian Wirtz Pursuit Over £253m Price Tag

Manchester City's withdrawal from the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. Discover how Liverpool might benefit and which players Man City is targeting as potential replacements.

Manchester City has withdrawn from the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen's talented attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz due to the skyrocketing costs of the deal. The club's interest in Wirtz was driven by the need to replace Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires this summer. However, the estimated €300 million (£253 million) price tag for Wirtz, including transfer fees and wages, was deemed too expensive.

Wirtz has been impressive this season, scoring 16 goals and providing 15 assists in 46 matches across all competitions. His performances have attracted the attention of top European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Despite City's interest, they have decided to prioritize finding a more affordable option, with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly high on their transfer wishlist.

Possible Replacements for Kevin De Bruyne:

• Morgan Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest's creative midfielder is said to be high on Manchester City's transfer list.
• Phil Foden: City may also choose to promote Phil Foden to fill the void left by De Bruyne's departure, given his long-term potential and current form.

Liverpool has reportedly made contact with representatives of the 22-year-old player and might have gained an upper hand in negotiations. According to reports, the deal seems to be out of Manchester City's budget range, potentially giving Liverpool an advantage in securing the player's signature. However, without knowing the specific player's name, it's hard to provide more details.

If the player in question is Rayan Cherki, Liverpool's target from Lyon, they're reportedly willing to meet Lyon's valuation of €22m (£18.6m). Cherki's versatility and creativity might make him an ideal addition to Liverpool's squad.

“It is estimated that an agreement to sign the 22-year-old would represent the biggest deal in City's history, potentially reaching as much as 300 million euros inclusive of transfer fees and wages. 

“While there is acknowledgement that Wirtz is among the leading young talents in European football and has been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool, City are concerned the cost of the deal is over-inflated.”

🚨🔵 Manchester City have currently left the negotiations for Florian Wirtz.

Talks were never advanced or at final stages, just initial approaches but City believe full package is too expensive, as @SamiMokbel_BBC reports.

👀 Morgan Gibbs-White remains on Man City shortlist. pic.twitter.com/J90R5WPhOc

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2025

Liverpool has already made a significant signing by activating Jeremie Frimpong's £30 million release clause from Leverkusen, with the defender expected to be announced as the club's first summer signing soon. This move suggests that manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are strategically managing their transfer budget.

With City out of the running for the young midfielder, Liverpool's chances of signing the player have increased. The Reds' ability to save money on Frimpong's transfer fee could allow them to invest in other targets, including the 22-year-old midfielder.

Manchester City will continue to search for a new creative midfielder, with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly on their radar. Manager Pep Guardiola is keen on signing Gibbs-White despite already spending £180 million in the January transfer window. The upcoming Club World Cup might prompt Guardiola to rotate his squad, making new signings necessary to maintain the team's competitiveness.

Guardiola's plans to rejuvenate his side come after a disappointing FA Cup final loss. With a busy season ahead, City will look to strengthen their midfield to compete in multiple tournaments. Gibbs-White's creative abilities could be a key addition to the team.