Bayer Leverkusen and Germany international star Florian Wirtz has once again been linked with transfer interest from Manchester City among other major names.
The Premier League champions are expected to undergo a major summer transfer window, as Etihad Stadium officials eye improvement and recruitment in a number of first-team positions within Pep Guardiola's squad.
Midfield is a certainty for attention, with Kalvin Phillips' position as a back-up defensive midfielder in serious doubt, irrespective of his success during a six-month loan deal at fellow Premier League side West Ham.
Bernardo Silva's longer-term future also remains in doubt, with the Portugal international having eyed a move away from the Etihad Stadium for a number of seasons, but potential suitors not getting close to City's valuation on the player.
But the latest report has linked Manchester City with a player they speculate to be the successor to legendary Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne, who is enduring yet another incredible spell of form after returning from injury this season.
According to the information of SportBILD, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City - and namely Pep Guardiola - are looking at Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz as the successor to legendary attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
However, the report also highlights that the Premier League champions will unsurprisingly not be alone in their interest in the player, with Liverpool and Real Madrid also wanting to sign the 20-year-old.
As for expected interest from fellow Bundesliga title challengers Bayern Munich, the report from German media states that the Allianz Arena club are now 'out of the race' for the player.
But just how much could it cost for one of Europe's premier clubs to secure the services of one of the most exciting names emerging in the game at present, especially off the back of a hugely successful campaign domestically for Bayer Leverkusen?
SportBILD's assumption is that EUR130 million is needed to take Florian Wirtz away from Leverkusen, with the playmaker currently earning EUR7.5 million per year - a fee that is assumed to be at least doubled when he joins a new club.
Florian Wirtz has been at the very centre of Bayer Leverkusen's incredible form this season under manager Xabi Alonso, having registered 30 appearances for the Bundesliga leaders across all competitions.
As well as eight goals to his name from an advanced attacking midfield role, Wirtz has also provided an incredible 16 assists in all competitions, with Leverkusen currently sitting eight points clear of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Speaking in December 2023, Florian Wirtz's father Hans-Joachim spoke on his son's future for the summer of 2024, "Currently, everything is leaning towards Florian continuing to play in Leverkusen next season."