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Bayer Leverkusen's 18-year-old star Florian Wirtz is the latest in a series of supremely talented youngsters to emerge from the Bundesliga.
Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham is currently the most high-profile teenager in football. However, Leverkusen's midfield maestro has quietly matched the displays of his more illustrious rival.
A couple of months younger than Bellingham, Florian Wirtz has 19 goals and 22 assists in 77 games for Leverkusen. The attacking midfielder has also been capped four times by Germany.
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Could Florian Wirtz follow in Kai Havertz's footsteps?
Nearly two years ago, Bayer Leverkusen sold Kai Havertz (46 goals and 31 assists in 150 games for the Bundesliga side) to Chelsea for a mammoth £72 million.
Florian Wirtz quickly stepped up to fill the void and has broken several records in the last two seasons.
- He was is the fourth-youngest player to debut in the Bundesliga (17 year 15 days), although this record has now been broken.
- He is the youngest debutant for Germany U21.
- He is the first player to score five goals in the Bundesliga before turning 18.
- He scored the fastest goal in the history of the U21 Euros (29 seconds), in the 2021 edition.
Wirtz's scouting report reveals the German's dribbling (2.6 successful dribbles per 90) and knack for finding space around the opposition box are his biggest assets. His sub-par passing (only 37 passes per game, 77% success rate) suggests he is best used right behind the striker, rather than as a holding midfielder.
Transfermarkt currently values him at £63 million, which means any potential deal could land between £70-80 million, as he is under contract till 2026. While many believe the midfielder should ideally stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another few seasons, he is certainly a man in demand.
On that note, here's a look at five clubs that could make a move for the young German star in the near future:
#5 Real Madrid
Despite boasting arguably the most fearsome midfield trio in the game, Real Madrid seem to be preparing for life after Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Los Blancos have already welcomed 19-year-old Eduardo Camavinga to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer and are reportedly tracking Aurelien Tchouameni as well.
Could Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz follow the legendary Toni Kroos to Madrid? Although the German teenager's style is quite different from Kroos' patient and surgical approach, Wirtz's penetration and dribbling could help Los Blancos.
That may seem like a good match on paper, but Real Madrid may choose to focus on Tchouameni instead, as the Frenchman is four years older than Wirtz.
#4 Barcelona
In an interview with Bild in early 2021, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Wirtz revealed his childhood dream of playing for Barcelona:
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to play at Barca. Nothing has changed in that sense, but until then I still have some time,” said the German.
The Spanish giants have produced some of the greatest midfielders in history. Their patient, probing and pass-oriented approach could help the 18-year-old German improve his passing, which remains a glaring weakness in his game.
Under manager Xavi, Barcelona have a young and exciting midfield that includes Spanish teenage prodigies Pedri and Gavi. The Blaugrana's tradition of valuing and providing opportunities to young talent could entice Wirtz in the near future.
#3 Arsenal
The average age of Arsenal's starting XI (24 years, 230 days approx.) is the youngest in the Premier League. All six of manager Mikel Arteta's permanent signings for the Gunners so far were 23 or younger when they arrived at the club. There is an obvious focus on youth at the Emirates.
Arsenal also play an attractive, attacking brand of football that helps their players improve their decision-making and passing. As was seen with Mesut Ozil, Gunners fans are more than willing to embrace German stars and make them feel at home.
Despite failing to add any players in the January window, rumours claim Arsenal are willing to spend big to build on the good work Arteta has done so far. If the Gunners can secure Champions League football next season, which is a real possibility, London could become an attractive destination for Florian Wirtz.
#2 Manchester United
The presence of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager and soon-to-be consultant allows the Red Devils a deeper insight into German talent. Manchester United have already been linked with Bundesliga players, including Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig.
The Red Devils are on the verge of a comprehensive midfield revamp. As many as five midfielders could be on their way out this summer, including Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek.
United have the cash to splash, as they showed last summer when they spent over £75 million on Jadon Sancho, who was also playing in the Bundesliga at the time. Could Florian Wirtz become only the first German international after Bastian Schweinsteiger to play for the Red Devils? Only time will tell.
#1 Bayern Munich
While Florian Wirtz's style has been compared with that of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez, his ability to find space is eerily similar to Thomas Muller's. Bayern Munich's Ramdeuter is now 32. While he still continues to deliver, the Bavarians must begin planning for the future.
Bayern are no strangers to raiding their Bundesliga rivals for their best players and, on paper, this situation seems like another such instance waiting to happen. Wirtz fits the bill as far as Julian Nagelsmann and co. are concerned. The young German international would slot seamlessly into Bayern Munich's attacking set-up.
It is also likely that his passing and overall technical ability could receive a much-needed boost under Nagelsmann's coaching and Bayern's style of play. The only question is whether the notoriously stingy German giants are willing to break the bank for the next big thing out of the Bundesliga.
