PEP GUARDIOLA has held talks with Florian Wirtz as Manchester City stepped up their bid to land the German star in a £126million deal.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward, 22, jetted in to Blackpool from Maastricht in Holland as City look to beat Bayern Munich to his signature.
Wirtz, one of the hottest properties in Europe, travelled with his agent father to discuss a potential move to the Etihad before returning home last night.
Boss Guardiola has identified Wirtz as his No 1 target as he looks to rebuild his City squad and replace club legend Kevin De Bruyne, 33. who will leave at the end of his contract in June.
Wirtz has spoken to Guardiola previously but the attacker is yet to make a final decision on his future with two years still left on his current Leverkusen deal.
But his club would rather sell to City than their Bundesliga rivals.
He only last month returned from a knee injury, which saw him miss the Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern, but has still scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in 44 games this season.
Bayern, who won the Bundesliga this term after losing out to Leverkusen last season, are offering £84m for Wirtz.
The German was vital to Leverkusen’s unbeaten title triumph under Xabi Alonso in 2023-24.
City have also approached AC Milan to sign Tijjani Reijnders, 26, although they are yet to submit a bid.
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Milan want around £60m for the Dutch midfielder, which would make him their biggest sale in their history.
The two clubs still have a negotiation to complete over right-back Kyle Walker, 34, who is on loan at the Serie A outfit from City for the rest of the season.
City are also interested in Nottingham Forest star Morgan-Gibbs White, 25.
However, Newcastle will fight off any City attempt to sign England star Tino Livramento.
The 22-year-old has shone since stepping up to become Toon’s first-choice right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier.
Champions League chasing Newcastle do not need to sell any big names.
Boss Eddie Howe said: “The summer window will be a big one for us.”
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