A signal to Real Madrid? Xabi Alonso's apprentice confirms he's open to leaving Leverkusen in future

Bayer Leverkusen's German midfielder Florian Wirtz (10) | AFP

Bayer Leverkusen's star German attacker Florian Wirtz confessed that he is open to representing some other club in the future. It is important for him to get out of his comfort zone to gain exposure, Wirtz added while claiming to be someone who can gel easily in any locker room.

 

The 22-year-old Wirtz has a contract with Leverkusen to 2027 but has been linked with a number of teams including Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid. Widely considered one of the best players in Germany, the right sale of Wirtz is expected to bring big money to the Bay Arena. 

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"I'm definitely keen to leave my comfort zone at some point and experience something new... I know the football locker rooms well enough and am convinced I would quickly fit in anywhere," Wirtz told Sports Illustrated. 

 

Middle East-backed Manchester City, a known big spender in Europe, is reportedly seeing Wirtz as an ideal replacement for Kevin de Bruyne, who is leaving at the end of the season. Real Madrid, meanwhile, is in the process of building another squad of 'Galacticos'. Despite having the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, the Los Blancos have been tracking Wirtz for some time now. The 15-time European champions have received only positive reports about him from their scouts, multiple reports had claimed. 

 

Wirtz himself confirmed that many clubs are already after him. "I'm quite lucky to have so many great clubs at my doorstep and to be able to play for one of the best clubs in Germany and Europe now," he reportedly said. 

 

 

Current Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is widely expected to take over Real Madrid from Carlo Ancelotti ahead of summer and if that happens, the Los Blancos have a more than realistic chance to bring Wirtz on board. It is under Alonso's watch the Wirtz evolved into a prodigy that any locker room would love to own. Some reports had earlier claimed that Xabi Alonso has already named three signings he wants if he is to take over Madrid. Florian Wirtz was first on the list along with his teammate Jonathan Tah and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.

 

 

 

Wirtz was 16 when he joined Leverkusen from local rival Cologne in January 2020. Six months later he became the youngest player to score in the  Bundesliga at age 17 years, 34 days, though that record was later taken by Borussia Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko. He was instrumental in Alonso's historic Bundesliga win last season. This season, he has scored 10 goals and set up 12 more in the Bundesliga. He has six goals in 29 appearances for Germany. 

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