Decision day looms in the Wirtz saga as Manchester City await his decision
The saga that threatens to dominate the summer transfer window may have a deadline. Florian Wirtz is the most in-demand player who is potentially available this summer. Manchester City are in the thick of the race to sign the German international. Sacha Tavolieri reported via his official X account that City are the best-placed English side to sign Wirtz. Now, a new report from Florian Plettenberg indicates that a decision from Wirtz on his future may be imminent.
Bayer Leverkusen want a decision from Florian Wirtz on his intentions for the summer by next week.
Florian Plettenberg has reported via his official X account that Bayer Leverkusen want a decision on his summer intentions from Florian Wirtz next week. Furthermore, Plettenberg reports that Bayer Leverkusen will demand €150 million to sell Wirtz this summer. Plettenberg adds that Bayer Leverkusen are yet to receive an official bid from Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Liverpool for Wirtz. Lastly, Plettenberg reports that Real Madrid could yet
Manchester City are awaiting a decision from Florian Wirtz over this summer plans.
enter the race to sign Wirtz if they sell Rodrygo.
Advertisement
Manchester City will know whether or not they got their man relatively soon.
It now seems that the Florian Wirtz saga will have an answer relatively quickly. From a Manchester City point of view, they should know what their summer transfer plans look like once Wirtz's decision is made. City will be hoping that their strong relationship with Bayer Leverkusen can help them sign the playmaker they are screaming out for. That remains to be seen at this stage of proceedings. To counter Plettenberg's report that no club has agreed a deal with Leverkusen to sign their prized asset, Sacha Tavolieri has previously reported that City have found a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal that would see Wirtz land at the Etihad.
Now, all that awaits is a decision from Wirtz over his future. But it seems that Manchester City have laid all of the groundwork that could see them land the biggest fish in the summer transfer window. If Manchester City could sign the German international, they'd land the attacking midfielder that they could build Pep Guardiola's squad around for next season and beyond.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
19 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Global streamers fight CRTC's rule requiring them to fund Canadian content
OTTAWA - Some of the world's biggest streaming companies will argue in court on Monday that they shouldn't have to make CRTC-ordered financial contributions to Canadian content and news. The companies are fighting an order from the federal broadcast regulator that says they must pay five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to funds devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV news. The case, which consolidates several appeals by streamers, will be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal in Toronto. Apple, Amazon and Spotify are fighting the CRTC's 2024 order. Motion Picture Association-Canada, which represents such companies as Netflix and Paramount, is challenging a section of the CRTC's order requiring them to contribute to local news. In December, the court put a pause on the payments — estimated to be at least $1.25 million annually per company. Amazon, Apple and Spotify had argued that if they made the payments and then won the appeal and overturned the CRTC order, they wouldn't be able to recover the money. In court documents, the streamers put forward a long list of arguments on why they shouldn't have to pay, including technical points regarding the CRTC's powers under the Broadcasting Act. Spotify argued that the contribution requirement amounts to a tax, which the CRTC doesn't have the authority to impose. The music streamer also took issue with the CRTC requiring the payments without first deciding how it will define Canadian content. Amazon argued the federal cabinet specified the CRTC's requirements have to be 'equitable.' It said the contribution requirement is 'inequitable because it applies only to foreign online undertakings and only to such undertakings with more than $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues.' Apple also said the regulator 'acted prematurely' and argued the CRTC didn't consider whether the order was 'equitable.' It pointed out Apple is required to contribute five per cent, while radio stations must only pay 0.5 per cent — and streamers don't have the same access to the funds into which they pay. The CRTC imposes different rules on Canadian content contributions from traditional media players. It requires large English-language broadcasters to contribute 30 per cent of revenues to Canadian programming. Motion Picture Association—Canada is only challenging one aspect of the CRTC's order — the part requiring companies to contribute 1.5 per cent of revenues to a fund for local news on independent TV stations. It said in court documents that none of the streamers 'has any connection to news production' and argued the CRTC doesn't have the authority to require them to fund news. 'What the CRTC did, erroneously, is purport to justify the … contribution simply on the basis that local news is important and local news operations provided by independent television stations are short of money,' it said. 'That is a reason why news should be funded by someone, but is devoid of any analysis, legal or factual, as to why it is equitable for foreign online undertakings to fund Canadian news production.' In its response, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters said the CRTC has wide authority under the Broadcasting Act. It argued streamers have contributed to the funding crisis facing local news. 'While the industry was once dominated by traditional television and radio services, those services are now in decline, as Canadians increasingly turn to online streaming services,' the broadcasters said. 'For decades, traditional broadcasting undertakings have supported the production of Canadian content through a complex array of CRTC-directed measures … By contrast, online undertakings have not been required to provide any financial support to the Canadian broadcasting system, despite operating here for well over a decade.' A submission from the federal government in defence of the CRTC argued the regulator was within its rights to order the payments. 'The orders challenged in these proceedings … are a valid exercise of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's regulatory powers. These orders seek to remedy the inequity that has resulted from the ascendance of online streaming giants like the Appellants,' the office of the attorney general said. 'Online undertakings have greatly profited from their access to Canadian audiences, without any corresponding obligation to make meaningful contributions supporting Canadian programming and creators — an obligation that has long been imposed on traditional domestic broadcasters.' The government said that if the streamers get their way, that would preserve 'an inequitable circumstance in which domestic broadcasters — operating in an industry under economic strain — shoulder a disproportionate regulatory burden.' 'This result would be plainly out of step with the policy aims of Parliament' and cabinet, it added. The court hearing comes as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have cast a shadow over the CRTC's attempts to regulate online streamers. The regulator launched a suite of proceedings and hearings as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, legislation that in 2023 updated the Broadcasting Act to set up the CRTC to regulate streaming companies. In January, as U.S. President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, groups representing U.S. businesses and big tech companies warned the CRTC that its efforts to modernize Canadian content rules could worsen trade relations and lead to retaliation. Then, as the CRTC launched its hearing on modernizing the definition of Canadian content in May, Netflix, Paramount and Apple cancelled their individual appearances. While the companies didn't provide a reason, the move came shortly after Trump threatened to impose a tariff of up to 100 per cent on movies made outside the United States. Foreign streamers have long pointed to their existing spending in Canada in response to calls to bring them into the regulated system. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dominik Szoboszlai MOCKS claims he is incompatible with Florian Wirtz
© IMAGO - Florian Wirtz Liverpool Bayer Leverkusen An insight into a Wirtz-Szoboszlai midfield Last night for Hungary, despite captaining his team to a 2-0 loss against Sweden, Szoboszlai delivered a masterclass for the onlooking Liverpool fans checking in on the 24-year-old. Advertisement He was initially positioned as a No. 10 alongside Roman Sallai, who might be Wirtz in Liverpool's engine room next season, but throughout the game he was a deep-lying playmaker in the No. 8 role. Inside his 79 minute appearance we saw a bit of everything. One shot on target, four key passes, an accurate cross, five accurate long-balls, one big chance created, six ground duels won, one aerial duel won, four clearances, one tackle and he was fouled five times by the opposition. The man was a trouble-maker from the off, constantly getting involved wherever he could and making sure he contributed to the team, whether it was on or off the ball. A captain's performance. Advertisement So what did this tell us? Well, if the reports are to be believed, then Wirtz will feature predominantly in the No. 10 role at Liverpool, which then potentially relegates Szoboszlai to the No. 8 role alongside Ryan Gravenberch, although he'll be competing with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones for minutes. In the final games of the season, we saw Slot try and change things up, and the new role for the Hungarian is definitely something that he could excel in next season if he is required to change. But Wirtz has previously been positioned as a false-nine centre-forward and we've even seen Slot utilise a system where no striker is used. At the Etihad against Manchester City in February, Jones and Szoboszlai played as joint No. 10s, constantly pressing high and overloading the midfield.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid Plot Shock Move for PSG Standout to Replace Key Veteran
PSG have a big decision to make—and clubs like Manchester City are surely watching closely: Is Gianluigi Donnarumma still their long-term answer in goal? He's under contract until 2026, but interest from Europe's elite is growing. Since arriving from AC Milan in 2021, Donnarumma has delivered in key moments—stepping up in shootouts and making clutch saves—but his time in Paris hasn't been flawless. Advertisement There have been notable mistakes, including the costly error against Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League, that continue to cast doubt on his ability to handle high-pressure situations. Now, with PSG heading to the Champions League final, the pressure is back on. A strong performance could reaffirm his place as the club's No. 1. If not, with time ticking on his deal, other clubs will be ready to pounce. Could Real Madrid shock PSG and move for Gianluigi Donnarumma?According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Real Madrid are interested in Donnarumma as a long-term replacement for Thibaut Courtois. The PSG goalkeeper is under contract until 2026. Advertisement The report adds that Donnarumma is said to be open to the move, as he's looking for a new challenge in a different league. Football Italia reported on Saturday that Donnarumma's contract is winding down. Still, despite interest from Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Inter Milan, he plans to meet with PSG first to discuss a new deal. His current contract runs until June 2026, but PSG have offered him a new deal with a much lower salary than the €10 million per season he was earning after leaving Milan in 2021.
