Man City could replace Kevin De Bruyne this summer with a marquee signing (Image: Getty)
are reportedly hoping to snatch Florian Wirtz from under the noses of as searches for a long-term replacement for .
The Belgian struggled to influence the game during City’s 2-0 defeat to league leaders , who moved 11 points clear following their victory at the Etihad Stadium.
De Bruyne, 33, has been linked with a move to the United States this summer, with several MLS clubs understood to be keen on signing the veteran playmaker,
And Guardiola may have the ideal successor lined up, as reports claim the seven-time Premier League champions are prepared to move for Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz.
Wirtz, 21, has scored 15 goals and registered 11 assists for the Bundesliga giants this season in all competitions, highlighting his status as one of Europe’s most lethal creative players.
The German star has long been linked with a move away from the BayArena, with , Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all admirers of the youngster since he broke into the team at the age of 17.
But City appear to have stolen a march in the race to capture his signature this summer as Guardiola continues to plan his rebuild in Manchester.
The report that James McAtee could be used in a swap deal with Leverkusen, with the City academy graduate a summer target for Xabi Alonso.
Florian Wirtz has scored 15 goals for Bayer Leverkusen this season (Image: Getty)
The report claims that Leverkusen made an approach for McAtee in December, only to be ‘rebuffed’ by their Premier League counterparts.
But McAtee is yet to make a single Premier League start this season, despite scoring twice from the bench. And the 22-year-old could seek a move away from the Etihad as he is keen to get regular football under his belt.
With City ‘among the frontrunners’ to sign Wirtz, Guardiola may be able to use McAtee as a makeweight with a player-plus-cash swap deal.
The report also claims Leverkusen would ‘insist’ on McAtee being involved in any potential bid for the Germany international. He would be valued at around £30m by his club.
James McAtee is yet to start a game in the Premier League or Champions League this season (Image: Getty)
Wirtz will not come cheap, even if McAtee is included to sweeten the deal. Leverkusen have previously insisted on offers north of £100m, given his contract runs until 2028.
Signing one of Europe’s most sought-after talents in Wirtz would represent another statement of intent for City, who have already splashed out £200m to sign Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez in January.
Not only would it give them a new playmaker to replace De Bruyne, it could throw a spanner in the works for ‘s , who have been consistently linked with a possible move for Wirtz.
However, a potential concern for both City and is that Leverkusen boss Alonso is expected to take over at Real Madrid this summer, and Wirtz could follow his current boss to Spain.