FC Barcelona may have an important advantage in the 'race' for the signing of Florian Wirtz next summer. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has a contract until 2027, but he will hardly stay much longer in the team led by Xabi Alonso and, in the bidding for the highest bidder, the man from Pullheim would have compelling reasons to opt for Barça, as long as the culés are in a position to pay for his transfer.
A couple of years ago, the German striker made clear his admiration for the Barça team in a chat with 'SKY', when he was still in the Leverkusen youth team. "I had a few posters hanging in my room. For example, of Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembélé and Aubameyang," the '9' commented to the German network. Furthermore, during the last Euro Cup, the 'killer' did not hide his admiration for Lamine Yamal, whom he considers the most talented young player of the moment.7
In that sense, Barça could try to repeat the formula used with Nico Williams this summer with Wirtz, although the operation with the Basque did not come to fruition due to financial reasons. The presence of the '19' in the Catalan team can be decisive for the German attacker, given the possibility of forming a lethal duo that marks a glorious era in European football.
Bayern Munich, a tough rival for Barça due to Florian Wirtz
However, Bayern Munich also have a similar plan with Florian going forward. The Bavarians are longing for the idea of pairing the 21-year-old striker with Jamal Musiala, just as they have been doing in the German team. The Bavarians may be the toughest rival for Barça in the 'race' for Wirtz, although the Munich team still has Musiala's renewal pending this season. The culés, on the other hand, have Lamine well 'tied' for the future, as well as the rest of the 'jewels' of the quarry.
In any case, Bayer Leverkusen seems resigned to losing its star next summer. The forward has not hidden his desire to go to a 'big' team in the short term and the club will have no choice but to try to close a transfer that will be a record for the German team, since the one from Pulheim will not cost less than 120 million euros if it maintains an upward line in performance. In 2024/25, the '9' started very well, with 5 goals and 1 assist in his first 6 games (381 minutes).