Manchester City could break their transfer record this summer on Europe's player of the season: report

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City before the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Rb Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on November 28, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City could be about to smash their transfer record for arguably the player of the season in Europe's top five leagues.

The European champions' most expensive ever acquisition stands at a reported £100 million for Jack Grealish, who joined from Aston Villa in 2021. Josko Gvardiol, meanwhile, cost around £77m last summer when he was signed from RB Leipzig

But Pep Guardiola might be about to sanction an even bigger deal in order to snare a player also tracked by Liverpool and Chelsea

Jack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on 15 February, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Jack Grealish is City's record signing (Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

TEAMtalk says that Manchester City are looking at bringing Bayer Leverkusen schemer Florian Wirtz to the Etihad Stadium, with the German's fee said to be £10m more than Grealish.

“Reports suggest he’s valued at a staggering €130m (£111.2m),” the report states, adding that Xabi Alonso's decision to remain in the Bundesliga could well sway the playmaker to remain put for another season, too. 

In FourFourTwo's view, Wirtz would not only be a perfect signing for City, he is exactly the kind of buy that they would make, given his positional versatility across the frontline.

Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Allianz Arena on September 15, 2023 in Munich, Germany.

Florian Wirtz has been electric this season (Image credit: Masashi Hara/Getty Images)

The one sticking point may well be his injury history. Although not an injury-prone player, the 20-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept him out of the World Cup – and potential suitors may wish to wait and see how he develops over the next year or so following that setback. 

Wirtz is worth €110m, according to Transfermarkt

More Manchester City stories

Pep Guardiola has called out the state of Real Madrid's pitch, following City's 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu. One stat shows that the Champions League tie was one of the best in recent memory, too.

One City star has been tipped to leave, with Dani Olmo linked with a move. Erling Haaland, meanwhile, has been linked with Barcelona.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

Read more
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is said to be pleading for more funds
Manchester City report: Pep Guardiola pleads for an additional £200m to secure double signing
Pep Guardiola is giving his Manchester City a January refresh
Manchester City closing in on window record - as they line up former star as their next signing: report
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may have identified another new signing
Manchester City to continue Pep Guardiola rebuild with European star who already has a 'gentleman's agreement' in place: report
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has always spoken so highly of Phil Foden
Manchester City report: EIGHT players on the chopping block as England international leads the line
Raheem Sterling celebrates a goal for Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League in December 2015.
Who is the most expensive Manchester City player of all time?
Manchester City target Raphinha
Manchester City in eye-watering bid for Barcelona star Raphinha: report
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report