**Real Madrid Suffer Major Blow as Florian Wirtz Agrees Bayern Move**
Real Madrid have been dealt a significant setback in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star Florian Wirtz. According to *Diario AS*, the 22-year-old playmaker has reached a verbal agreement to join Bayern Munich, dashing Madrid’s hopes of signing him.
Despite Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso recently hinting that Wirtz’s future remained open, the German international has reportedly decided against renewing his contract or entertaining offers from other clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Wirtz had emerged as a top candidate to replace the retired Toni Kroos, making his decision to stay in Germany a major blow for Madrid. The situation is further complicated by Luka Modric’s expected departure after the FIFA Club World Cup, leaving a gap in midfield creativity.
Reports from *Diario AS* and posts on X (formerly Twitter) suggest Bayern are preparing a bid exceeding €100 million, with Wirtz potentially joining in 2025 or 2026. The move signals Bayern’s intent to secure one of Europe’s brightest talents early.
Madrid’s frustration is compounded by Arsenal’s imminent signing of another key target, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, for €60 million. The Spanish giants are now scrambling to identify alternative midfield reinforcements.
With Alonso set to take over as manager next season, Madrid are exploring other options, including River Plate’s 16-year-old sensation Franco Mastantuono. However, the teenager may not be an immediate solution for a squad in need of experienced talent.
Bayern’s aggressive pursuit of Wirtz highlights their determination to dominate the Bundesliga and European football, while Madrid must regroup quickly to avoid falling behind in the transfer market.
The loss of Wirtz and Zubimendi forces Madrid to adjust their strategy, potentially accelerating moves for secondary targets or revisiting previous options before the window closes.
As the summer transfer window heats up, Madrid’s ability to adapt will be crucial in building a competitive squad for Alonso’s first season in charge. The pressure is on to secure the right reinforcements after missing out on two major midfield targets.