By Sean Walsh
Real Madrid believe they will beat Barcelona to the signing of Florian Wirtz, if and when he decides to leave Bayer Leverkusen, a report has claimed.
Wirtz is one of world football's most in-demand prospects following a stellar 2023/24 season, helping Leverkusen record a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, while their only defeat came in the final of the Europa League to Atalanta. Along the way, he registered 18 goals and 20 assists across all competitions.
The 21-year-old was also one of Germany's star players on their run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 before they fell to Spain, scoring his country's first and last goals of the tournament.
Understandably, Wirtz has been heavily linked with a move away from Leverkusen, though he is expected to remain in Germany for at least one more season.
Catalan outlet SPORT report Barcelona would love to sign Wirtz, though given their precarious financial position, they recognise this would be incredibly difficult to pull off.
As such, those upstairs at the Santiago Bernabeu believe Madrid are in pole position to bring him in instead. The club already have a good relationship with Leverkusen, and he will become their third main transfer target over the next 12 months, along with Lille's Leny Yoro and Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has long insisted he will not entertain offers worth less than €150m for Wirtz.
In the shorter term, 90min understands Barcelona are keen on acquiring Wirtz's Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong, but they face competition from Manchester City and Manchester United for his signature.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Real Madrid 'confident' of beating Barcelona to €150m signing.
