Florian Wirtz's transfer preference revealed as Man City & Bayern Munich lag behind in pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star

According to German outlet BILD, the Leverkusen sensation has already made his preference known, placing Real Madrid at the top of his wish list - well ahead of Man City and Bayern, who trail behind in the pursuit of the gifted playmaker. His camp is said to be firm in its stance: if there’s a chance to join Real Madrid, he’s willing to be patient and wait. City are considered a backup option, with Bayern rounding out the list of preferred destinations.

Wirtz has a release clause of €125 million (£107m/$142m), backed by a contract that runs until 2027. This long-term agreement provides the German champions with significant leverage, and they have no intention of accepting anything below the stipulated release clause.

While Wirtz's talent is highly appreciated at Real Madrid, the club’s transfer priorities currently lie elsewhere. One of their full-back targets in Trent Alexander-Arnold has already been secured, if reports are to be believed, and discussions continue regarding a potential forward signing.

The presence of attacking midfielders like Jude Bellingham, Brahim Díaz, and Arda Guler already creates considerable competition in the offensive zone, making Wirtz’s acquisition less of an immediate need. That said, Los Blancos are not ruling out a move in the medium term, especially if there are key departures or if manager Carlo Ancelotti is replaced by Xabi Alonso, who has a strong relationship with Wirtz.

Wirtz's willingness to delay his dream move could prove pivotal. With Real Madrid not in a rush to act, he is ready to continue developing at Leverkusen for another year if needed. His patience reflects both maturity and a deep desire to join the Spanish champions under the right circumstances.

With his stock rising and his potential undeniable, Wirtz remains one of the top names on the transfer radar for 2025 and beyond. Whether Real decide to act now or wait another year may ultimately determine where he ends up.