Beyer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has joined an exclusive team of players that Pep Guardiola missed out on after Manchester City walked away from a potential transfer.
We are still more than a week away from the transfer window opening, and yet, it already seems that perhaps the biggest story of the summer will centre around German international Wirtz.
The Beyer Leverkusen superstar has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
However, a shock report on Monday afternoon confirmed that City had decided to pull out of the race for Wirtz, due to the ‘soaring’ costs of making a deal.
In doing so, Wirtz now joins an XI of players who City boss Guardiola failed to bring to the club, and it’s seriously impressive.
Manchester City have reportedly pulled out of the race for Florian Wirtz. (Image: Getty)
Despite being arguably the greatest manager of all time, Guardiola has missed out on some of his top targets over the years.
One of the most notable, is England captain Harry Kane, who was strongly linked with City during the 2021 summer transfer window.
Kane was viewed as the perfect replacement for club legend Sergio Aguero, but talks ultimately broke down and Kane remained with Spurs.
City then turned their attention to Cristiano Ronaldo who came close to joining as he looked to leave Serie A giants Juventus.
Instead, the football legend opted to return to former club Manchester United in one of the biggest transfers in recent history.
Wirtz completes the attack in Guardiola’s XI of failed targets, with it looking likely that the Leverkusen star will either join Bayern Munich or Premier League rivals Liverpool over the summer.
The midfield of the team is made up by Jorginho, Fred and Frenkie de Jong, who have all been lined with moves to the Etihad in recent years.
The XI of players that Manchester City could have signed is seriously impressive. (Image: FOTMob)
Meanwhile the formidable defence boasts Marc Cucurella and Andrea Cambiaso in the full-back positions, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence.
Finally, between the sticks is perhaps one of the greatest goalkepeers of all time, Gianluigi Buffon, who considered moving to the Premier League after 17 years with Juventus.
City hoped to bring the legendary keeper in as a back-up for Ederson, but Buffon instead opted to join Paris Saint-Germain, before ultimately returning to Juventus the following year.
