Arsenal are one of the clubs keeping tabs on the situation of Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to German outlet Sport Bild.
The Gunners are keen on recruiting his services but they will be facing competition from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City for the 21-year-old Germany international.
Wirtz’s contract expires in the summer of 2027 and the Bundesliga club want him to sign an extension, with talks ongoing, but a sale cannot be ruled out, and Arsenal are monitoring things.
Leverkusen want the attacker to extend his deal by at least a year or they will look to sell him next summer and will demand around €150 million from suitors for his signature.
While Wirtz has been one of the best players in the Bundesliga over the last two seasons and can significantly help improve the fortunes of Arsenal on the pitch, the Gunners are unlikely to be willing to spend up to that on him.
He has nine goals and four assists in 19 games across all competitions so far in 2024-25 after ending last term with 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 appearances as Leverkusen won the Bundesliga and reached the final of the Europa League.
Those stats have impressed the North Londoners and other suitors, and his ability to play as a number 9, behind the striker and on both wings is a quality manager Mikel Arteta could do with in an attacker.
However, Leverkusen want top dollar for their man if he is to leave next summer, which makes him a less realistic target for Arsenal despite his talents.
They will prefer to look at other quality options that cost less than €150m, and the new sporting director would also be wary of splashing such a fee on a player unproven in the Premier League.
