Manchester City has withdrawn the race to sign Florian Wirtz, suggest reports.
City had watched a potential deal for the German to make him the successor to Kevin De Bruyne, who leaves the Etihad outfit when his contract ends this summer.
However, the Cityzens have pulled themselves out of the race to sign the Bayer Leverkusen -Aas after they discovered that a deal could cost them a total of £ 252 million.
That figure – equivalent to 300 million euros – includes transfer costs and wages that would make it the largest deal in the history of the city.
Wirtz, 22, has scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in all matches for Xabi Alonso's Bayer this season and is generally considered one of the leading talents in European football.
According to the BBC, it is said that City is concerned that the deal is “too much blown up” and therefore does not represent any money.
Premier League champions Liverpool and Bundesliga champion Bayern Munich as the leaders to land Wirtz.
City has a history of stopping deals that they consider above the market value.
They gave himself famous from the race to land England captain Harry Kane from Tottenham in 2022 before they sign Erling.
City also wanted to get hold of Jorginho, Fred and Frenkie de Jong for their midfield before landing Ballon d'Or Winner Rodri in 2019.
Likewise, Ruben Dias was signed instead of Harry Maguire from Kalidou Koulibaly.
In terms of alternatives to Wirtz, both Aston Villas Morgan Rogers and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijni -Hiknders are connected.
Liverpool's own pursuit for Wirtz comes after they have already been linked to stunning swings for teammate Jeremie Frimpong and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez to revise their full-back options.