Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United to battle Real Madrid for Bundesliga star: Reports

Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. Meanwhile, Wirtz is already on the transfer radar of La Liga giants Real Madrid, as per Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The German midfielder's contract with Bayer Leverkusen will expire in summer 2027. As per the aforementioned report, the club ideally wants the 21-year-old to sign a contract extension. However, if he decides to leave in the next summer transfer window, Leverkusen are determined to not sell him to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.

Currently, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are the frontrunners to sign the German midfielder. The English champions seek Florian Wirtz as the long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. However, the likes of other top Premier League sides such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are also interested in getting the German midfielder's signature.

Although Real Madrid are also in the race to sign him, Bayer Leverkusen consider Wirtz's move to Santiago Bernabeu in the next summer unrealistic. Last season, Wirtz emerged as a crucial part of Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga-winning Bayer Leverkusen.

He made 32 appearances for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, bagging 11 goals and 12 assists. He also scored two goals for the German national team at the 2024 European Championships.

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Liverpool to sign 24-year-old German defender as Virgil van Dijk's long-term replacement: Reports

Arne Slot's Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck in the next summer transfer window, as per CaughtOffside.

The Reds see Nico Schlotterbeck as defender Virgil van Dijk's long-term replacement. The Dutch skipper's ongoing contract at Anfield will expire at the end of the season. Liverpool are reportedly preparing a €50 million offer for the 24-year-old, with his annual salary at €7 million.

Nico Schlotterbeck joined Borussia Dortmund from SC Freiburg in July 2022. Since joining BVB, the German midfielder has become an important part of the side, bagging six goals and 12 assists in a total of 96 appearances. Dortmund reached the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final and also ended second in the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 campaign.

Schlotterbeck has also earned 17 caps for the German national team. He played two matches for the national team during the 2024 European Championships and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.