Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has set out his priorities for a summer transfer and would join Real Madrid over Manchester City, while Manchester United are keen on RB Leipzig and Netherlands international attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.
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TRENDING RUMORS
– When Florian Wirtz decides to move on from Bayer Leverkusen there will a host of clubs interested — well, those who can afford him. Bild has set out the player’s priorities, centered around his chances of winning the Champions League and Ballon d’Or. Leverkusen hope that the 21-year-old will stay for one more season, and extend his contract to 2028 with a release clause of €125 million which can be triggered in 2026. If not, the Bundesliga club will seek €150m this summer. The Germany international’s transfer priority would be 1) Real Madrid, 2) Manchester City, 3) Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola is reported to have already met with Wirtz, but if Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso takes over at the Bernabeu that could seal it.
– Manchester United have drawn up plans to sign RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, reports the Daily Mail. The Red Devils must beat Liverpool and Manchester City to the 21-year-old’s signature in the summer, and to do so they must secure qualification to the Champions League — by winning the Europa League. Simons, who has contributed to 14 goals in 21 matches in the Bundesliga season, is seen as an ideal fit for manager Ruben Amorim’s system.
– Barcelona are set to prioritise signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah, reports Diario Sport. The Blaugrana will focus on reinforcing their defence following impressive form from their forward line, and the 29-year-old Germany international is at the top of their shortlist as a player that can be signed on a free transfer. Just two months remain on Tah’s contract at the BayArena, with previous reports indicating that he plans to leave at the end of the Bundesliga season.
– Benfica are working on bringing back two former academy stars, according to reports. First, they have contacted Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva to sound him out about a summer move, according to The Times. The 30-year-old made only three first-team appearances before leaving for AS Monaco, then moving onto City. Benfica wouldn’t be able to afford the €50 million release clause in his contract. However, Silva’s deal expires in the summer of 2026, so Benfica hope a lower transfer fee could be agreed. Meanwhile, Benfica are also working on convincing João Félix to return ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, Record reports. The Portuguese forward joined AC Milan on loan from Chelsea in the winter transfer window but has failed to impress. The Portuguese outfit twice tried to sign Felix, who has a contract with Chelsea until June 2031, in recent transfer windows without success.
– Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka wants to stay at the Allianz Arena this summer despite interest from Manchester United, reports Bild. The Red Devils are still keen on the 30-year-old, but having earned more regular minutes for manager Vincent Kompany, the latest indicates that he is likely to see out his contract that expires in 2026. He has made 35 appearances across all competitions this season.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Alex Kirkland on the prospect of Florian Wirtz heading to Real Madrid:
ESPN reported last November that Florian Wirtz was one of the players Real Madrid were keeping an eye on, with an eye on moving for the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker this summer.
Madrid are big fans of Wirtz. At 21, he fits the age profile for the kind of player they’re willing to spend big on — think Jude Bellingham — and he’s already an elite player, with lots of room for further growth.
Madrid’s midfield has been a major issue this season. Toni Kroos retired, Luka Modric is 39, and while players like Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni have plenty of outstanding attributes, none of them have been able to successfully knit the team together, controlling the game’s tempo and linking defence and attack.
Madrid began looking closely at Wirtz in 2023-24, have been impressed with what they’ve seen, and were keen to see how he’d fare for Leverkusen in the Champions League.
He’s scored nine goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season, and grabbed a hugely impressive six goals in nine Champions League games.
Wirtz’s price tag could be an issue, and Madrid have other business to attend to this summer. They’re going to have to commit a substantial amount of money to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wage package and signing-on fee, even though he joins on a free transfer, and they’d also like a sign a young centre-back.
But Bellingham’s signing in 2023 showed that for the right, top player, Madrid are willing and able to spend big, even if they’d prefer to avoid doing so by encouraging targets to see out their contracts and sign on a free.
The only question is whether Madrid have been sufficiently impressed by Wirtz’s development this season to justify such an outlay.
OTHER RUMORS
– Juventus will offer Douglas Luiz to Newcastle United in a bid to bring Sandro Tonali back to Serie A. Tonali is valued at €70m by the Magpies, with Luiz rated at €30m as part of a deal. (Calciomercato)
– Serie A side Fiorentina are interested in a move for Thomas Müller, who will leave Bayern Munich as a free agent in the summer. However, MLS club LAFC appears to be the 35-year-old midfielder’s most likely destination. (Bild)
– Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored a hat trick against Barcelona on Tuesday, has a release clause worth €70m. Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have all been linked with the Guinea international in the past. (Bild)
– There’s no chance that Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid this summer, with the 34-year-old reaching an agreement over a new contract through to 2027. (Relevo)
– A permanent move for Chelsea defender Renato Veiga is being lined up by Juventus. The Bianconeri want to get the deal for the 21-year-old done quickly and include him in their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup. Veiga is on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. (Calciomercato)
– Parma’s Zion Suzuki, FC Porto’s Diogo Costa, Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan are on the shortlist of summer goalkeeper targets who could replace Andre Onana. (The i Paper)
– Bayern Munich are interested in re-signing Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. The 19-year-old left Bayern in the summer of 2022 when his contract expired. However, the only way Yildiz would be available is if Juve fail to make it into the Champions League. (Tuttosport)
– Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong has sidestepped questions about his future, saying: “We’re in the final phase of the season, so we’re not focused on [the future]. There will be time for all of that.” (Marca)
– Borussia Monchengladbach holding midfielder Julian Weigl, 29, could be one of the first transfer targets for Leeds United if and when their return to the Premier League is confirmed. Boss Daniel Farke wants to bring in a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a left-back, a midfielder, a winger and a striker. (Daily Mail)
– RB Leipzig are leading the race to sign Southampton winger Tyler Dibling. The Bundesliga club are ahead of Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur amid plans to land the 19-year-old in the summer, and the Saints will demand “significantly lower” than the previously quoted €80m valuation. (Sky Sports Deutschland)
– Wolves striker Fabio Silva is being eyed by Eintracht Frankfurt as a potential replacement for Hugo Ekitiké. (Sky Sports Deutschland)
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