Blow for Real Madrid and Manchester City as Florian Wirtz makes surprise decision on future

Coveted German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is set to stay put in the Bundesliga for at least another season as Bayer Leverkusen are on the verge of extending the youngster's contract, which runs until 2027, by at least one more year. The report from Kicker will come as a big blow to Manchester City and Real Madrid, along with Bayern Munich, who were devoted in their pursuit of Wirtz for 2025.

Wirtz was tipped to make a sensational summer switch at the end of the ongoing season, with Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich among the front-runners for the 21-year-old's signature. Wirtz has been in sensational form for Leverkusen this season, scoring 11 goals across all competitions. His stock has only further grown in comparison to a historic 2023-24 season, in which he was at the forefront of Leverkusen's undefeated Bundesliga triumph and DFB-Pokal trophy win, not to forget their exploits in Europe, where they dramatically lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, are adamant nothing has been signed just yet.

"Bayer 04 have had a very trusting and close relationship with Florian Wirtz and his family for years," a club statement to Sky Sport reads.

"Contractual matters are discussed exclusively between the Bayer 04 management and the Wirtz family. If anything changes in the current contractual situation, Bayer 04 will of course communicate that in agreement with the Wirtz family. We ask for your understanding that we will not comment further on this topic.

Last month, it was reported that Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rofles were adamant on extending Wirtz's contract beyond 2027, as they do not want to lose the bargaining power in future negotiations with other clubs. Now, per Kicker, Wirtz has already reached an agreement with Leverkusen to remain at the club next season.

Not just that, but the former Koln prodigy is also set to earn wages in the double figures annually, making him by and far the highest-earning footballer at the club.

With Wirtz's future seemingly resolved for now, he will be back in action for Die Werkself on Saturday, December 21, as they welcome Freiburg at the BayArena. Leverkusen are currently just four points behind Bayern Munich in second place on the Bundesliga table.