Franck Ribery has urged Bayern Munich to sign Arsenal transfer target Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in the upcoming summer window.
Arsenal are keen to bring the 21-year-old attacking midfielder to the Emirates but face competition from Manchester City for his signature.
Despite City’s desire to land Wirtz, Arsenal are ‘fully committed’ in their attempts to convince him to pick north London as his next destination.
Wirtz played a key role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double last season under Xabi Alonso and he has continued to shine this term.
The Germany international has conjured up 15 goals and 13 assists across 39 games in all competitions during the current 2024-25 campaign.
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Leverkusen’s hierarchy are reportedly hopeful of convincing Wirtz to sign a contract extension before the summer transfer window – which would keep him tied to the club until 2027.
The Bundesliga champions are looking to include a release clause of €125 million (£104.3m), which could be activated from the summer of 2026.
Arsenal and City are in a race to sign Wirtz but Bayern Munich legend Ribery has thrown a spanner in the works by insisting that his former club ‘must sign’ the midfielder this summer if there is any possibility of a deal.
Ribery, a Bayern Munich legend who helped the German club win nine Bundesliga titles and clinch the Champions League trophy from 2007 to 2019, believes Wirtz would link up ‘very well’ with Jamal Musiala.
‘If there’s any possibility, Bayern must sign Florian Wirtz,’ Ribery told German outlet BILD.
‘Musiala and Wirtz can play very well together in a team. They’re alike because they both have incredible talent.
‘But they’re not alike in their playing style. Good footballers always get along on the pitch. Maybe FC Bayern should adjust their system a bit, away from the traditional wingers.
‘I would play with a true No.9 and behind him in the half spaces with Wirtz and Musiala, a little bit further inside. Then the wings will still be open for strong attacking full-backs. That could work very well.’
If Wirtz does not agree to sign a new deal, there would be no release clause but it is thought that Leverkusen would still look to sell him, demanding a transfer fee of €150m (£125.2m).
Wirtz’s current contract at Leverkusen is set to expire at the end of June 2027.
He has spent his entire senior career at Leverkusen to date, having joined the club’s youth team from FC Köln in 2020.
Wirtz has played a total of 191 games for Leverkusen so far, registering 56 goals and 63 assists.
The Leverkusen star was crowned Bundesliga Player of the Season last term.