Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly determined to do whatever is necessary to secure Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. The team has made a strong start to the Premier League season, securing victories against Chelsea, Ipswich Town, West Ham, and Brentford, positioning them at the top of the league.
This comes after Man City won their fourth consecutive title amidst 115 charges regarding alleged financial fair play violations. Kevin de Bruyne was among several City players linked with transfers away from the club during the summer window, with speculation suggesting he was interested in a move to Saudi Arabia, where several clubs were rumored to be interested.
Despite the rumors, de Bruyne made it clear he wanted to remain with the club before the transfer deadline. The 33-year-old has contributed a goal and an assist in four league matches so far.
Guardiola is also focused on the future, with reports from Spain indicating that City has made an offer exceeding €100 million (£84 million) for Wirtz. The manager is actively considering potential reinforcements, even though the transfer window is now closed until January.
Guardiola is reportedly in discussions with the club’s board about potential signings for the next season, expressing that if he remains, his aim is to continue strengthening the team to maintain their competitive edge.
The pursuit of Wirtz will not be straightforward, as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also interested in the midfielder.
Man City faces a significant challenge on Sunday when Arsenal visits the Etihad, and TV presenter Laura Woods believes the Gunners might adopt tactics similar to those used by Inter Milan in the Champions League against City. Woods stated that while she wasn’t upset about Arsenal’s cautious approach in their last match at the Etihad, she believes it’s wise to acknowledge City’s superiority.
She noted, “Manchester City is still far ahead of Arsenal in terms of development and experience.” Woods suggested that if Arsenal decides to play defensively, especially after observing Inter’s approach, it wouldn’t be disastrous.
However, she also expressed a desire to see Arsenal take more risks, as they have the capability to compete with City. A victory at the Etihad would certainly make a strong statement.
Erling Haaland has been pivotal to City’s strong start, scoring nine goals in four league matches. Nonetheless, Woods does not yet consider him a “great” of the game, stating, “I believe the title of a Premier League great should be reserved for players who have retired so we can fully appreciate them.”
She acknowledged Haaland’s impressive achievements but emphasized that he is still early in his Premier League career, suggesting that fans should enjoy watching his potential unfold before labeling him a great.