The reigning champions spent heavily in January and are ready to repeat that strategy by targeting Bayer Leverkusen’s Wirtz and AC Milan’s Reijnders. Wirtz, valued at over £100million by Leverkusen, remains City’s top priority, and a potential deal could include James McAtee heading the other way in a £25million part-exchange.
Reijnders is also high on City's wishlist, but Milan have made it clear they expect a fee surpassing the club-record £56.3m they received for Kaka. The Dutch midfielder only signed a new contract in March, earning around £96,000 per week.
City are eager to secure both players before flying to the U.S. for the revamped Club World Cup. Guardiola wants business wrapped up early, especially with both Wirtz and Reijnders expected to feature in World Cup qualifiers next month.
Kevin De Bruyne’s future adds urgency to the plans. The Belgian is close to leaving the club, which would free up his £350,000-a-week salary and create space for new arrivals. Wirtz, 22, currently earns less than £80,000 in Germany and is viewed as the ideal successor to De Bruyne. He has reportedly held talks with both Guardiola and Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Xabi Alonso, tipped to leave Leverkusen for Real Madrid, is a known admirer of both Wirtz and Reijnders, adding further intrigue to their futures.
City’s disappointing season ended with a 1-0 FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley. Eberechi Eze scored the winner, while goalkeeper Dean Henderson made a crucial save from Omar Marmoush after a VAR review for a handball was waved off. City now turn their focus to qualifying for the Champions League and rebuilding for the next campaign.
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