Newcastle United’s pursuit of Bundesliga sensation Florian Wirtz has received a significant boost as one of their competitors has withdrawn from the race. Barcelona, once considered strong contenders for the young talent, have reportedly opted out of the competition due to concerns about his high price tag, likely stemming from their ongoing financial struggles. It seems Barcelona will shift their focus to more budget-friendly targets, as the potential cost of acquiring Wirtz could reach as high as £87 million.
Despite a somewhat mixed season in the Bundesliga, with three goals and four assists in all competitions, Wirtz has shown promise and room for growth. In the 2021/22 season, he delivered an impressive seven goals and ten assists in the league alone.
Newcastle, however, faces tough competition for the 20-year-old wonderkid. Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Liverpool are all reportedly interested in Wirtz, according to sources. While Real Madrid was previously rumored to be keeping an eye on the player in March, there haven’t been any recent updates regarding their interest.
So, what would Florian Wirtz bring to the squad? Wirtz is a remarkably creative player, primarily occupying the role of an attacking midfielder. His skill set includes a diverse range of passing and excellent ball-carrying abilities. In the Bundesliga, he has already provided 21 key passes this season, a statistic surpassed by only a few, including Joshua Kimmich, Andrej Kramaric, and Franck Honorat. Therefore, if Newcastle were to strike a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Wirtz, he would undoubtedly inject a strong creative influence into their midfield.