LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 08: Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen enters the pitch prior to the ... More Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and SV Werder Bremen at the BayArena on March 08, 2025 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images) Getty Images Florian Wirtz is destined for the top of European club soccer. The 21-year-old is already a Bundesliga winner having claimed the German title with Bayer Leverkusen last season and is widely considered one of the best players in the world in his position. It’s little wonder some of the sport’s biggest clubs are interested. Leverkusen has been good for Wirtz, but there is a sense he will move on at some point in the future. It had been speculated that a parting of ways would happen this summer. However, recent reports claim Wirtz will stay at the Bay Arena for another season, much to the disappointment of Bayern Munich and Manchester City. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, points during the Premier ... More League match between Manchester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Getty Images City in particular will be dealt a blow if Wirtz rejects the chance to join the Etihad Stadium club this summer. Pep Guardiola needs fresh creativity in the attacking midfield area and Wirtz would have been perfect for this role. Manchester City would be investing in the future by signing the 21-year-old for big money. With the recent reports in mind, City needs a Plan B. Rayan Cherki is a name worthy of being on the Premier League champions’ shortlist with the young Frenchman in exceptional form for club and country right now. Indeed, Cherki has registered 13 goal involvements in his last nine appearances. MORE FOR YOU Google Confirms Gmail Upgrade—3 Billion Users Must Now Decide FBI Warning As iPhone, Android Users ‘Bombarded’ By Chinese Attack FBI Warning For All iPhone, Android Users—Hang Up Now, Use This Code Morgan Gibbs-White could be on Manchester City’s radar. The England international has been key to Nottingham Forest’s Champions League challenge this season with Nuno Espirito Santo’s team currently ahead of City in the Premier League table. Gibbs-White would be a good addition to Guardiola’s squad. Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest gestures under pressure from Jaden Philogene-Bidace of ... More Ipswich Town during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest at Portman Road in Ipswich, England, on March 15, 2025. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Alex Baena’s underlying numbers for Villarreal this season have been impressive. The 23-year-old tends to play off the left side more than Gibbs-White or Cherki, but his development over the last two seasons suggests this could be a good time for a club like Manchester City to make a move. He has the technical ability to play under Guardiola. Manchester City finds itself at the start of a rebuild. This reconstruction started in January with the addition of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis and it will continue this summer with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ilkay Gundogan expected to depart. To challenge for the Premier League title again next season, City must find players it can build around for years to come. If Wirtz isn’t available this summer, the Etihad Stadium club can’t afford to wait around until he is. There are many alternatives out there who could give Guardiola want he requires. Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades