"He makes every team better" – Owen Hargreaves claims Arsenal would like to sign Real Madrid and Manchester City target
Former Manchester United star Owen Hargreaves has asserted that Arsenal would love to lure Real Madrid and Manchester City target Florian Wirtz away from Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz, who has registered three goals and one assist in three league outings so far this campaign, made his UEFA Champions League debut earlier this Thursday. He netted twice in Leverkusen's 4-0 league phase win at Feyenoord and was crowned the Player of the Match.
After the end of the Champions League clash, Hargreaves showered praise on the right-footed playmaker and opined on his potential future destinations. He said (h/t Metro):
"I mean, he's a brilliant young player in terms of goals and assists, his numbers last season were crazy. For a young kid, he's producing for Germany and Leverkusen. He's not a centre-forward, you think about Toni [Kroos] leaving Real Madrid, I think he could go in and learn that role. Toni started as a No.10 and then gradually worked back. I think Florian can eventually control a game."
Claiming that Arsenal could target Wirtz in the future, he concluded:
"If I was him, it's either [Manchester] City or Real. I'm sure Mikel [Arteta] would love him at Arsenal, too. He's that good, he makes every team better. But he is a No.10, but I just think he's so smart. I think everybody would [build their team around him] and I think he's so smart with his dad... he'll know, 'Right, I'm going to go there because that's the best fit for me'."
Wirtz, whose Leverkusen deal will run out in June 2027, shot to fame after guiding his team to a domestic double last season. The 21-year-old recorded 18 goals and 20 assists in 49 overall matches last term.
Ex-Arsenal star linked with Real Madrid exit
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, Real Madrid star Dani Ceballos has attracted attention from AC Milan and Real Betis ahead of the winter transfer window. He is expected to leave his current club next year.
Ceballos, who was subject of a loan bid from AS Monaco earlier this summer, has started one of his three total appearances for Real Madrid this campaign. The 28-year-old is currently nursing an ankle problem.
The 13-cap Spain international spent two years on loan at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021. He helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup in 2020 and registered two goals and five assists in 77 overall outings for them.