Father of Newcastle United target Florian Wirtz has now claimed that his son will stay at Bayer Leverkusen until at least 2025.
Newcastle had been scouting the 20-year-old in the summer, but a deal never materialised and Newcastle were forced to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.
Journalist Florian Plettenerg has now revealed that Wirtz is likely to stay at Leverkusen next season, but that a transfer may be possible in 2025.
Wirtz has been brilliant this season
Bayer Leverkusen have been one of the best teams in the Bundesliga this season under Xabi Alonso and currently sit top of the league after an unbeaten start to the campaign with Wirtz one of their key players.
The Magpies were very keen on trying to attain the attacking midfielder in the most recent window after identifying him as a potential star, and now the young man has taken his form to a whole new level.
Wirtz has been brilliant for Leverkusen’s team across all competitions and has already recorded six goals and 10 assists in 19 appearances, causing teams like Newcastle to take note.
The attacker has previously been labelled as an ‘outstanding’ talent by former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick and Bayer Leverkusen and now looking to keep their star performer until at least next year.
Hans-Joachim Wirtz, father and agent of Florian, has spoken to Plettenberg and claimed that the 20-year-old is preparing for another season at Leverkusen.
“Currently, everything is geared towards Florian continuing to play in Leverkusen next season.“
Wirtz could be missing piece for Newcastle
Newcastle have been brilliant in the last two seasons and Eddie Howe has done an incredible job to get this group of players who are massively overperforming into the Champions League.
However, there is always room for improvement and Newcastle will eventually want to try and make that leap to being an established Champions League team, and Wirtz might be just the player to take them there.
One thing you could say that Newcastle may lack is some creativity in the midfield. Eddie Howe does not traditionally play with an attacking midfielder in his formation, but Wirtz’s passing range and attacking threat that he has often shown at Leverkusen could be key for Newcastle.
It will understandably be a costly transfer given the potential of the young man, but one that Newcastle may seriously consider to really get the team competing at the very top.
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