Manchester United have identified Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz as a transfer target.
Wirtz has been touted as the ‘next Kai Havertz’, with his stock ever-rising in Germany amid an impressive campaign so far in the Bundesliga and Europa League.
Wirtz is a left-footed teenage attacking midfielder, a Germany international, and making headlines at Leverkusen, so comparisons with Havertz are unsurprising.
Chelsea signed him at the start of last season in a £71million deal, and he scored the winning goal in May’s Champions League final against Manchester City.
Leverkusen went and simply replaced him with another of the same elk, with a freakishly similar profile.
And Wirtz could follow in Havertz’s footsteps by securing a blockbuster move to England in the near future.
According to the Daily Star, United are among a group of Europe’s elite who have placed the 18-year-old on their transfer wishlists.
The Red Devils face competition from Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Havertz’ Chelsea.
But there is a belief that Ralf Rangnick’s presence at Old Trafford will strengthen their position in the hunt for Wirtz.
The 63-year-old’s prestigious status in German football would likely add to the allure of a switch to Old Trafford.
However, Wirtz will undoubtedly be a summer target if United plan to make a serious move for his services.
And Leverkusen are expected to demand in excess of £70m to let their prized asset leave the club.
He’s certainly made that fee look reasonable since his senior debut at 16, scoring 17 goals and providing 19 assists in 53 Leverkusen starts in all competitions.
This season, Wirtz has particularly come into his own, registering eight goals and 11 assists in 17 starts in the Bundesliga and Europa League.
Rangnick has inherited a squad including several players with uncertain futures, especially in attack.
Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani are all unlikely to be at United next season, so attacking reinforcements will be required in the next two transfer windows.
And Wirtz would be an ideal fit for one of the ’10s’ in Rangnick’s 4-2-2-2 system if one of Mason Greenwood or Marcus Rashford partnered Cristiano Ronaldo upfront.
The four-capped German superstar is destined for greatness in European football, and it seems like only a matter of time before he secures an eye-catching move, potentially M16-bound.