Man City Plan to 'Wreck' Reds' Transfer Plans with 'Double Swoop'
Man City Eye Reijnders and Wirtz in £180m Transfer Move
Guardiola prioritises Reijnders and Wirtz as Club World Cup looms
Manchester City are preparing an ambitious £180million double swoop for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders, with both midfielders firmly in Pep Guardiola's sights ahead of next month's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
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With a clear intention to retool his squad for a new era, Guardiola has urged City's hierarchy to act decisively in the transfer market. Following a similar £180m outlay in January, the Premier League champions are now targeting two of Europe's most technically gifted midfielders.
City's interest in Wirtz is long-standing, but Leverkusen's valuation north of £100million has not deterred Etihad executives. Talks have progressed to a stage where James McAtee, currently rated at around £25million, could be used as part of a deal to ease negotiations with the German side.
'Leverkusen are demanding in excess of £100million for German international Wirtz – and that has not discouraged City who could offer James McAtee as a £25million makeweight.'
Reijnders poised for record-breaking Milan exit
Tijjani Reijnders is viewed internally at City as an ideal addition to their evolving midfield structure. However, prising him away from AC Milan will not come cheaply. The Italian giants are insistent that any bid must eclipse the £56.3m they received from Real Madrid for Kaka in 2009 — still a club record.
'Milan have made it clear City will have to break the Italian club's £56.3m transfer record they once banked for Kaka to land creative Dutchman Reijnders.'
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The Dutch international signed a new five-year deal in March, worth £96,000 per week, but Milan are aware of City's pulling power and financial clout. With both players involved in upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Guardiola is pushing for early movement to ensure their availability before City travel to the United States for the Club World Cup.
De Bruyne future opens door for creative reinforcements
The potential departure of Kevin De Bruyne is a major subplot to City's summer strategy. The Belgian maestro, on over £350,000 per week, is finalising a move elsewhere, which would significantly free up room in City's wage structure.
'De Bruyne earns in excess of £350,0000-a-week at the Etihad and his departure will give the Blues plenty of room for manoeuvre when it comes to negotiating with Wirtz and Reijnders.'
Wirtz, just 22, earns under £80,000-a-week in Germany, and Guardiola has already spoken to him directly about a future in Manchester.
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'Wirtz, 22, earns less than £80,000-a-week in the Bundesliga and has been identified as the perfect replacement for De Bruyne. He has already spoken to Guardiola and Liverpool boss Arne Slot about his next move.'
Alonso exit fuels transfer domino effect
The upcoming managerial change at Bayer Leverkusen could also work in City's favour. With Xabi Alonso tipped to take over at Real Madrid, the Bundesliga club face a summer of upheaval. Alonso's admiration for both Wirtz and Reijnders adds further intrigue to their respective situations.
'Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is expected to depart the club for Real Madrid this summer and is a big admirer of both players.'
Guardiola's determination to finalise business before jetting off to the United States reflects the urgency around these deals. With eyes on international stages and elite club silverware, City's aggressive pursuit of Reijnders and Wirtz may yet define their summer.
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