Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz due to the costs involved, according to the BBC.
City had been monitoring Wirtz as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who is leaving the club this summer after a successful decade at the Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old is one of the most talented midfielders in Europe, having helped Die Werkself claim the domestic double and reach the Europa League final last term.
However, they would spend nearly €300 million when transfer fees, wages and associated costs are factored in, making it the largest financial outlay in the club’s history.
There had been quiet concern that the arrival of Wirtz might have disrupted Phil Foden’s playing time under Guardiola.
The club appears intent on giving the England international the central role many people have long believed he was destined for.
City have not abandoned their search for midfield reinforcements. Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White is among the players on their radar.
There are also rumours of interest in Barcelona star Dani Olmo, although teammate Fermin Lopez would be a better option.
Meanwhile, Wirtz continues to draw admiration across Europe following a stellar season with Leverkusen, where he bagged 16 goals and 15 assists.
But unless the asking price drops considerably, he will not be swapping the Bundesliga for the blue half of Manchester.
This news leaves Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Premier League champions Liverpool in the race for the Leverkusen star.
The problem is that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell to Bayern, and his parents were seemingly unhappy with the way they made their approach.
The financial outlay may also prove a problem for Liverpool. They have several holes to plug and will not want to commit so much to signing Wirtz.
