Arsenal handed crushing blow in Florian Wirtz pursuit

Cameron Smith

Updated: 24 Feb 2025 08:46 CST
3 min read

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Florian Wirtz this summer have been hampered following news that Manchester City midfielder James McAtee remains on Bayer Leverkusen’s radar.

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Wirtz, 21, has been linked with a move to a host of top European clubs ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window, with Arsenal among the teams reportedly in contact with his representatives.

However, the Germany superstar is also wanted by Real Madrid and Manchester City, and the latter could use McAtee as a makeweight in a possible swap deal this summer.

The 22-year-old has only racked up 122 minutes of Premier League action so far this season and Bayer Leverkusen remain interested in signing him later this year, according to The Daily Mail.

The Bundesliga champions are preparing for Wirtz’s potential departure and they have identified McAtee as a possible replacement.

Although Man City could simply sell McAtee to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, they are one of the frontrunners to sign Wirtz and could include their academy graduate in a player-plus-cash swap deal offer for the Germany international.

© IMAGO - Manchester City are eager to win the race for Florian Wirtz this summer

Pep Guardiola on James McAtee

McAtee was linked with a Man City departure during the winter transfer window, amid interest from Leverkusen, although Guardiola was eager to retain his services until at least this summer.

When asked about McAtee before the end of Deadline Day, the Man City boss told reporters: “He [McAtee] is going to stay. We don't have enough players, we have a World Cup at the end of the season, we have a lot of games.

“I think he can play more minutes, he has to fight and I am really pleased for Macca. The opinion of Macca I said to the club is really clear but the club has to take care of resources and sell players and it depends on what happens.

“I understand the frustration [about game time], absolutely. I was a football player, I have incredible empathy to feel what he can feel.