Latest transfer news and rumors: Man City, Bayern competing for Wirtz

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumors never stop swirling. Check in every day for all the latest buzz from across the soccer world.

Top story: The word on Wirtz

Bayern Munich remain front-runners to sign Florian Wirtz this summer, but Manchester City are also pursuing the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker. The Premier League club is in talks with representatives of the widely admired German star as they try to find a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

Wirtz, 22, is under contract at Leverkusen until 2027, but he's expected to leave this summer. (Football Insider)

Other rumors

March 9

City prepared to bid big for Neves: Joao Neves is a dream summer signing for Manchester City, but it'll take a huge fee to encourage Paris Saint-Germain to let the midfielder leave. (Fichajes)

Antonee fee: Fulham will only consider offers exceeding £40 million for left-back Antonee Robinson. Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in the English-born U.S. international. (Football Insider)

Mateta tatter: Manchester United have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a possible capture of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. United probably need to sell before bankrolling a £40-million transfer. (Daily Mirror)

The Tammy tussle: West Ham United are in talks with Tammy Abraham's camp but should face competition from other English clubs for his signature. The Roma striker is on loan at AC Milan. (Calciomercato)

Arda out if Ancelotti stays: Arda Guler's future might hinge on the coaching situation at Real Madrid. The 20-year-old, who is growing frustrated with his lack of playing time, could leave if Carlo Ancelotti stays. (DefensaCentral)

Como want 'crazy money': Newcastle United are exploring a summer move for winger Assane Diao. However, the 19-year-old joined Como for £10 million in January and will have a hefty price tag. (Football Insider)

March 8

Mainoo likely to leave: Kobbie Mainoo intends to reject any contract offers from Manchester United and his current preference is to seek a move abroad. He's got two years left on his current deal. (The Guardian)

Arsenal shift focus: On the advice of incoming sporting director Andrea Berta, Arsenal are turning their attention to Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to bolster their options up front. (Football Insider)

Kane could come back: Bayern Munich's Harry Kane has a £67-million release clause in his contract that can be triggered this summer. Bayern will let him leave if a Premier League club is willing to meet that amount. (The Sun)

Barca search for right-back: Barcelona are "very happy" with Jules Kounde's performances but want to sign a new right-back this summer to provide competition for the French international. (Fabrizio Romano)

David prefers England: Impending free agent Jonathan David, expected to be one of the most coveted strikers available this summer when his Lille deal expires, would like to join a Premier League club. (Caught Offside)

Reyna expected to move: Despite getting more minutes since Niko Kovac took over, Giovanni Reyna will likely leave Borussia Dortmund this summer. The American international is valued at around €15 million. (Sky Sport Germany)

Juve raiding Atalanta: Juventus, who signed Teun Koopmeiners from Atalanta last summer, are now considering offers for Ederson, Ademola Lookman, and Mateo Retegui. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

March 7

Kimmich renews after all: Bayern Munich reached an agreement with Joshua Kimmich over a new contract more than a week after retracting their initial offer to their pending free agent. (Florian Plettenberg)

Sesko on Liverpool's radar: Liverpool have joined the long list of suitors for in-demand RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, although the Slovenian favors a summer move to a London-based club. (GiveMeSport)

Zirkzee in Juve's sights: Juventus boss Thiago Motta wants to make Joshua Zirkzee the centerpiece of a summer revolution that includes a renewal of Randal Kolo Muani's loan and Dusan Vlahovic's departure. (Calciomercato)

Barca offer De Jong new deal: Frenkie de Jong's future increasingly seems at Barcelona. He's now received an offer to extend his terms by another three years and keep his salary at around €19 million per season. (Sport)

Man City 'keeper conundrum: Ederson is approaching the final year of his contract might leave in the summer. Man City could promote backup Stefan Ortega or go after Espanyol's Joan Garcia if the Brazilian exits. (TBR Football)

Osimhen too expensive: Victor Osimhen's £400,000-per-week salary demand makes a move to Manchester United nearly impossible. Ipswich Town's Liam Delap is a more realistic target. (Football Insider)

March 6

Madrid prepare Konate plan: Ibrahima Konate's deal with Liverpool expires in 2026, and if there's no indication he'll extend it, Real Madrid could opt for a familiar tactic and wait to sign the center-back for free next year. (Daily Mail)

Antony happy in Spain: Antony doesn't want to return to Manchester United. The Brazilian winger has expressed his desire to remain at Real Betis, where he's currently on loan until the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

Ekitike in demand: Arsenal, Liverpool, and West Ham are all interested in signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. The German club is expected to demand €80 million for the 22-year-old Frenchman. (Foot Mercato)

Tavares turning heads: Chelsea are considering a move for Nuno Tavares, who has been one of the breakout stars in Serie A this season. Lazio have an option to make his loan from Arsenal permanent. (Corriere dello Sport)

Milan won't keep Felix: AC Milan have already decided they don't want to extend Joao Felix's stay at the end of the season. When his loan spell expires, the Portuguese forward will return to Chelsea. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

March 5

2-horse race for Leao: Liverpool and Barcelona will battle for Rafael Leao's signature this summer. AC Milan want €100 million for the Portuguese winger, down from the €175-million price teams were once quoted. (TEAMtalk)

Vini's salary demands: Contract talks between Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior are expected to resume this summer. The Brazilian, who earns €17 million per season, is looking for an annual increase of €5 million. (AS)

Nunez wanted out: Darwin Nunez told Liverpool that he was unhappy and wanted to leave the club in January, but the Reds, unable to find a replacement in time, blocked a potential transfer to Al-Hilal. (Football Insider)

Chelsea call about Reijnders: Chelsea are monitoring Milan's Tijjani Reijnders. Any potential move would be difficult, though, as the Dutch midfielder just signed a new five-year deal with the Rossoneri. (Calciomercato)

Spurs in driver's seat: Tottenham are confident they're in prime position to beat several other clubs to the signing of Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old is unhappy with Southampton's latest contract offer. (talkSPORT)

Coman allowed to leave: Bayern Munich will lower their asking price for winger Kingsley Coman in order to offload the Frenchman this summer. Arsenal have been linked with the 28-year-old. (BILD)

Nothing BVB can do: Borussia Dortmund are resigned to losing rising star Jamie Gittens this summer. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham are all interested in the 20-year-old winger. (Sky Sport Germany)

March 4

Joao Pedro's plea: Brighton forward Joao Pedro wants to join Liverpool and informed both clubs that he'd like to make a summer transfer. The Brazilian is on Arne Slot's shortlist of options to bolster the attack. (Football Insider)

Inter enter the race: Inter have emerged as contenders to sign impending free agent Joshua Kimmich, providing competition for Liverpool. Kimmich and Bayern Munich still haven't agreed to a contract extension. (TEAMtalk)

Chelsea change tack: Despite previous reports that Enzo Maresca would stand pat with his goalkeeping situation, the Blues are considering a summer move for Brighton netminder Bart Verbruggen. (GiveMeSport)

Arsenal's new guru: Arsenal are in talks to hire former Atletico Madrid executive Andrea Berta as their sporting director. The Gunners are looking to replace Edu Gaspar, who relinquished that role in November. (The Telegraph)

Sesko's price tag: Manchester United, Tottenham, and Arsenal are interested in signing Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker has an €80-million release clause that can be activated in the summer. (Sky Sport Germany)

Kerkez paves the way: Coveted Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who's being tracked by Liverpool, recently set the stage for a summer move by switching agents and joining Fali Ramadani's agency. (Fabrizio Romano)