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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly ready to include some players as makeweights in a bid to sign Real Madrid target Florian Wirtz. The Cityzens have endured a difficult season this time out after dominating English football in recent years.
As reported by TBR Football, the Sky Blues are looking to step up their chase for Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz. The German playmaker has been heavily linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe such as Real Madrid, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Arsenal.
Manchester City have gone through remarkably poor form of late having won just one of their last nine games across competitions. They have lost six of their last nine games while their only victory was a 3-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest last week.
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TBR Football claims that Pep Guardiola has set his sights on Wirtz to replace Kevin De Bruyne who has been his side's key creator over the years. The Belgian superstar has played just 635 minutes of football this season and his deal also expires next summer.
Wirtz is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Europe and played a key role in helping Bayer Leverkusen's success last season. Xabi Alonso's side won both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal undefeated, with Wirtz being the lynchpin of the side.
The German playmaker joined Leverkusen in 2020 from FC Koln and has since done extremely well for the club. He has registered 51 goals and 55 assists in 174 appearances for the Bundesliga side so far.
Manchester City are believed to be ready to use Oscar Bobb and James McAtee as makeweights for any deal to sign Wirtz. Die Werkself reportedly admire both players as they will have the monumental task to replace their chief creator.
Bobb has made only one appearance this season for Manchester City and is sidelined with a broken foot. Meanwhile, McAtee, also a youth graduate of the club, has played just 333 minutes this season, scoring once.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are also said to be keen on Wirtz and are ready to use Brahim Diaz in a swap deal. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, would reportedly offer Paul Wanner's services to their rivals in return for Wirtz.
Manchester City had a bid rejected for Real Madrid's breakout star in the summer: Reports
Manchester City reportedly made a failed attempt to sign Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio in the summer. As claimed by Tribal Football, the English champions made a €6 million offer for the Spaniard and wanted to loan him out to sister club Girona.
Los Blancos decided to reject the Sky Blues' offer for the defender who was yet to make a debut for them before this season. The decision has worked wonders for Carlo Ancelotti's side as the 21-year-old has had to make six successive appearances recently.
Real Madrid's backline has been severely stretched by injuries this season because of which Asencio has been promoted to the first team. The defender was formerly in the youth ranks of Veteranos del Pilar and Las Palmas before joining Los Blancos in 2017. He has made 45 games of Real Madrid Castilla and six appearances for the senior side so far.
