Bayer Leverkusen have reportedly set their sights on Manchester City’s Jack Grealish as they brace for the departure of star midfielder Florian Wirtz.
The Bundesliga champions are moving swiftly to fill the void left by their talisman, and Grealish’s name has emerged as a bold target.
According to recent reports, Leverkusen’s new manager, Erik ten Hag, views the 29-year-old England international as the perfect fit to replace Wirtz. “Jack Grealish is the ideal candidate to step into Wirtz’s role,” a source close to the club told The Sun, highlighting Ten Hag’s admiration for the former Aston Villa star.
Grealish, who joined Manchester City for a hefty 118 million euros in 2021, has struggled for game time under Pep Guardiola, with reports indicating he was omitted from City’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.
Leverkusen’s interest comes as Liverpool close in on a blockbuster deal for Wirtz, with the Reds reportedly tabling a club-record 113 million pounds bid, though Leverkusen are holding out for closer to 126 million pounds.
“Florian Wirtz has proven that he is a very, very valuable player, not only for Bayer Leverkusen but also for the national team,” Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes said, underscoring their high valuation of the 22-year-old German star.
Manchester City are open to letting Grealish leave for around 40 million pounds, a significant loss on their initial investment, though his 300,000-pounds-a-week wages could complicate negotiations.
Posts on X have also linked other players, including Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Antony, as well as Real Madrid’s Nico Paz, to Leverkusen as potential Wirtz replacements, but Grealish remains the standout name.
“Grealish has been hugely influential in the past, and Leverkusen believe they can get him back to that level,” a report from The Mirror noted, suggesting Ten Hag’s confidence in reviving the midfielder’s career.
With Leverkusen already losing Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, Ten Hag faces the challenge of rebuilding a squad capable of defending their Bundesliga title. Grealish, keen to secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, could see a move to Germany as a chance to reignite his form.
As the transfer window heats up, Leverkusen’s pursuit of Grealish signals their ambition to remain a force in European football, while Liverpool’s imminent capture of Wirtz could reshape the Premier League landscape. Fans across both leagues will be watching closely as these high-stakes deals unfold.
