‘imagine him and Garnarcho’ – Man Utd plot €120m move for Bayer Leverkusen superstar amid strong Bayern Munich links as Ten Hag keen backs him to shine at Old Trafford

‘imagine him and Garnarcho’ – Man Utd plot €120m move for Bayer Leverkusen superstar amid strong Bayern Munich links as Ten Hag keen backs him to shine at Old Trafford

Man Utd and Bayern Munich target Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen
Man Utd and Bayern Munich target Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen

Manchester United are poised to rival Bayern Munich for a Bundesliga superstar, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle are all competing for a Serie A centre-back, while a Liverpool target is ‘tempted’ by a move to Aston Villa, all in Tuesday’s edition of Euro Paper Talk.

MAN UTD TO RIVAL BAYERN MUNICH FOR FLORIAN WIRTZ
Manchester United have bounced back from a disappointing start to the season and currently sit top of the Premier League form charts, rising to sixth place in the table.

The pressure on Erik ten Hag has eased somewhat despite recent reports linking Carlo Ancelotti with the Red Devils job.

Ten Hag has now shortlisted several players ahead of the January transfer window as he eyes a strong second half of the campaign.

A new centre-back is thought to be the manager’s priority, while Man Utd are also considering bringing in a new midfielder as a long-term replacement for Casemiro.

It seems, however, that Man Utd want to add some more creativity to their squad. Mason Mount was brought in to play that role in the summer.

The former Chelsea man has made just four starts in the Premier League this term, however, and is yet to make a single goal contribution.

Man Utd are now considering an ambitious move for Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Leverkusen will demand over €120m for Wirtz
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenburg, Man Utd have identified Wirtz as a key transfer target, but a deal will be hard to thrash out in January.

It’s claimed that the Red Devils are yet to make contact with Bayer Leverkusen over Wirtz but this ‘will happen’ in the coming months.

Leverkusen would prefer to keep Wirtz for at least another season, but the report suggests that the Germany international could leave if manager Xabi Alonso departs.

Plettenberg says that Bayern Munich are also desperate to sign the talented 20-year-old, who is considered to be one of the best young players in the world.

Wirtz has scored an impressive six goals and made 10 assists from 18 Bundesliga matches so far this season.

Leverkusen are said to be ‘100% certain’ that Wirtz will leave before 2025 and will ask for over €120m (£104.1m) to part ways with him.

Bayern Munich’s approach for Wirtz will depend on several factors, including the fee needed to sign him and Jamal Musiala’s future.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if Man Utd test Leverkusen’s resolve with a bid for Wirtz in January.

As mentioned, though, it’s likely they will only sell him next summer at the earliest