By LUKE POWER

Manchester City have pulled out of the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen sensation Florian Wirtz.

Liverpool and Bayern Munich remain in the hunt for one of Europe’s brightest talents for now but the prohibitive costs have put off Pep Guardiola’s side. 

The transfer fee could set any suitors back a British transfer record of £126million – a stretch City were seemingly unwilling to make. 

Wirtz, who was a key figure in Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic double last season, was seen as a potential successor to the departing Kevin De Bruyne.

A haul of 18 goals and 20 assists saw the youngster burst into the international consciousness last season, and he has backed that up with a further 16 strikes and 15 set-ups this campaign.

Only 22, he has already been capped 29 times by Germany and outgoing Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has described him as ‘world-class’.

More to follow.  

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Man City WITHDRAW from race for £126m Florian Wirtz over soaring fees – leaving Liverpool and Bayern Munich to battle it out for Germany star

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