Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has admitted that he is "definitely keen to leave my comfort zone" ahead of the summer transfer window amid reported interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe, Wirtz has developed into an integral first-team player at Leverkusen under the tutelage of head coach Xabi Alonso.
The versatile attacking midfielder only turned 22 years of age last week, but he has already made a total of 195 appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions, scoring 57 goals and registering 63 assists.
Wirtz was named 2023-24 Bundesliga Player of the Season after recording 11 goals and 12 assists in 32 league games to help Leverkusen with their first-ever German top-flight title and go the entire domestic campaign unbeaten.
The 29-cap Germany international, who also won the DFB-Pokal and reached the Europa League final last season, has since excelled this term, contributing with 16 goals and 13 assists in 43 games across all tournaments, including 10 goals and 11 assists in 29 Bundesliga outings.
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Bayern, Man City, Real Madrid all battling to sign Wirtz
Ever since Kevin De Bruyne announced last month that he will be leaving Man City upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, Pep Guardiola's side have been heavily linked with a big-money move for Wirtz, who is believed to have been identified as one of their top midfield targets.
Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the German, but newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are understood to have moved ahead of their rivals in the race for his signature.
Indeed, a recent report claims that Wirtz has made it clear that he has no intention of joining either Man City or Real Madrid and has informed Alonso of his desire to join Bayern.
This comes after Leverkusen's managing director Fernando Carro recently revealed that there is a "very high probability" that Wirtz will remain at the BayArena beyond the current campaign.
Wirtz has since addressed his future at Leverkusen and appears to be open to the idea of pursuing a fresh challenge, with a number of "excellent clubs" having expressed their interest in his services.
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Wirtz: "I'm definitely keen to leave my comfort zone"
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Wirtz said: "I'm quite lucky to have so many excellent clubs right on my doorstep and to now be able to play for one of the best clubs in Germany and Europe.
"I have great respect for the guys here in Leverkusen, who come from South America or Africa, for example, and leave their families and surroundings behind for their careers.
"I'm definitely keen to leave my comfort zone at some point and experience something new. I know the football changing rooms well enough and am convinced that I would quickly find a place anywhere."
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Wirtz, who has just over two years remaining on his contract at the BayArena and is allegedly valued by Leverkusen at around €150m (£127.2m).
Oliver Thomas
