MAN CITY PULL OUT OF WIRTZ RACE! GUARDIOLA SHIFTS FOCUS TO BARCELONA'S DANI OLMO AFTER £250M LEVERKUSEN PRICE TAG
Manchester City have reportedly withdrawn their interest in Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz after being stunned by the German club's staggering £250 million valuation. With such a hefty fee off the table, Pep Guardiola has now turned his attention toward a more realistic and versatile target: Barcelona's Spanish playmaker, Dani Olmo.
Leverkusen's Price Tag Ends City's Pursuit
Florian Wirtz has been one of the standout performers in Europe this season, playing a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten run and historic Bundesliga title win. However, Leverkusen’s refusal to entertain negotiations below the eye-watering £250m mark has forced City to walk away from the deal.
Sources close to the club indicate that while Guardiola is a huge admirer of Wirtz’s creativity, vision, and technical prowess, the financial demand is simply not justifiable—especially as City look to reinforce multiple areas of the squad this summer.
Olmo Becomes the New Priority
With Wirtz off the table, City have swiftly shifted focus to Dani Olmo, a player Guardiola knows well from his time in Spain. Currently at Barcelona after returning from a successful spell with RB Leipzig, Olmo has become a key figure under Hansi Flick’s plans—but his future is still not entirely certain.
Guardiola views Olmo as a flexible attacking option who can operate in midfield or out wide. His tactical intelligence, work rate, and technical skill make him an ideal fit for City’s possession-based game. Moreover, his asking price—reportedly under £60 million—is significantly more attainable.
Strategic Summer for Guardiola
After securing a fourth consecutive Premier League title, Guardiola is determined to refresh his squad ahead of next season. With several senior players potentially on the move and a new generation waiting in the wings, signing players like Olmo would signal a smart, strategic approach rather than simply chasing big-name deals.
While City may revisit the Wirtz situation in the future, especially if Leverkusen lower their demands, for now the focus has turned toward players who fit the system—and the budget.
Conclusion
Manchester City’s decision to drop their pursuit of Florian Wirtz marks a significant shift in their summer transfer strategy. With Pep Guardiola now targeting Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, City are prioritizing balance and affordability in their squad rebuild. As always, City remain a major force in the market, but this time, with a sharper eye on value over vanity.
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