The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated players in European football and he is wanted by the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
Arsenal are now the latest club to register their interest in Wirtz, as per Bild and numerous other outlets, with Mikel Arteta eager to bolster his squad in 2025.
The Germany international wants to leave Leverkusen next summer, although Xabi Alonso’s side have reportedly placed a €150 million price tag on his head.
Wirtz’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €83.7m, but Leverkusen are determined to maximise their potential revenue and aren’t willing to sell him on the cheap.
The 21-year-old already has six goals and one assist in five Bundesliga and Champions League appearances so far this season, and interest from Europe’s top clubs isn’t at all surprising.
If Arsenal are able to win the race for Wirtz’s signature, how will the Gunners line up?
Arteta has curated arguably the best defensive unit in world football over the past few years, with David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Arsenal’s recent improvement.
Benjamin White is also likely to be first-choice on the right, with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori battling it out for the left-back spot.
Wirtz’s versatility means he would be used in multiple different positions by Arteta, including off both wings and in a central midfield role. The latter suits him better and his arrival would ease the load on Martin Odegaard, who is currently injured.
However, if Arteta wants to improve Arsenal’s slight attacking woes, then starting Wirtz and Odegaard alongside each other would help massively. Declan Rice will play as the lone number six.
Bukayo Saka is a nailed-on starter down the right, while Kai Havertz has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice striker. Meanwhile, the Gunners continue to search for a new left winger, but Gabriel Martinelli is currently the favoured option.
