Florian Wirtz, the talented youngster from Bayer Leverkusen, has caught the eye of FC Barcelona Sporting Director Deco with his impressive performances in the 2024/2025 season. The young midfielder played a crucial role in helping Bayer win the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign in the process. Despite falling short in the Europa League final, Wirtz’s performances have attracted interest from top clubs across Europe.
Even before his standout season, Wirtz was on the radar of several top clubs due to his immense potential. The 18-year-old bounced back from an ACL tear in the previous season and has only improved since then. In an interview with Sky Sport, Wirtz revealed that playing for Barcelona has always been a childhood dream of his, a sentiment that has not changed over the years. Mundo Deportivo reports that Deco shares the same sentiment and views Wirtz as a dream signing for the Catalan club in 2025.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Chief Executive Fernando Carro has made it clear that while no player is unsellable, Wirtz will command a high transfer fee. Carro stated that the midfielder would not leave for less than €150 million, a hefty sum that could deter potential suitors. Barcelona, facing financial constraints, may struggle to meet Bayer’s asking price for Wirtz. The club’s current economic predicament could give an advantage to other top clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid in the race for Wirtz’s signature.
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Wirtz as their top target for 2025, following the high-profile signing of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. The Spanish giants are said to be keen on bringing the talented midfielder to the Bernabeu, possibly alongside current Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso has been linked with a potential move to Madrid, where he could succeed Carlo Ancelotti as the head coach. With competition heating up for Wirtz’s signature, it remains to be seen where the promising young talent will end up in the 2025/2026 season.
