Bayern Munich leapfrog Real Madrid in pursuit of Florian Wirtz

Bayern Munich are confident that they will beat Real Madrid to the signing of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz, having spent months to come up with a strategy to lure the player to Allianz Arena, according to Bild. Wirtz has been tipped to make a move to one of Europe's elite clubs next summer after earning a reputation as one of the best young players in the world.

Bayern's interest in Wirtz is nothing new. The club have kept tabs on him ever since he was a teenager. In fact, Hansi Flick wanted to sign him in 2021 when he was the manager at Allianz Arena.

Wirtz has come a long way in the three years since then. Last summer, the Bavarians revamped their pursuit of the 20-year-old, but Leverkusen weren't open to selling him. Now, Bayern Munich have already had multiple meetings with Wirtz's father and are set to make an offer worth €100 million.

Not just that, but Jamal Musiala, who shares a beautiful on-field dynamic with Wirtz when they play for the Germany national team, and a close friendship off the field, could influence Wirtz to join him at Bayern Munich.

On the other side of the story is Xabi Alonso's potential arrival in the Spanish capital as the successor of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Wirtz has enjoyed playing under Alonso and that, along with the fact that Bayer Leverkusen wouldn't be too keen on selling Wirtz to a rival in the Bundesliga, could play a big role in his transfer saga next summer.

Wirtz scored two goals and delivered an assist in Germany's 7-0 thrashing of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and then played 30 minutes in a substitute cameo against Hungary in the recently-concluded international break. He will now be seen in action in a Bundesliga fixture against Heidenheim on Saturday, November 23.