Arsenal are keeping very close tabs on Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, according to Bild journalist Christian Falk.

It was reported earlier this week that the Gunners were actively pursuing the German international and, asked about the rumours, Falk confirmed that there is genuine interest from Mikel Arteta’s team:

“That’s true. Arsenal are a major competitor. Arsenal have had Florian Wirtz on their radar for a long time. They watched him as a youth player at Koln, and now the interest is becoming really concrete again.”

However, Falk does question whether the London club have the financial resources to meet Leverkusen’s asking price:

“I have my doubts that they will be able to do this deal. Leverkusen are calling for €150m (£125m). Will Arsenal pay that much? I am sceptical.”

Arsenal would have to break their transfer record

Even if Leverkusen don’t hold out for the full €150m, it seems clear that the Gunners would have to pay more than the £105m they shelled out on Declan Rice last year.

Whether the London club have room in the transfer budget to break their record fee for the second time in three years, it is up for debate. The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations could hamper their efforts.

Wirtz is in high demand

There are plenty of other teams who are interested in signing the 21-year-old. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool have all been mentioned as potential suitors recently.

For that reason, Arsenal will still have a fight on their hands to secure Wirtz’s signature, even if they do manage to stump up the necessary funds.

Wirtz is undoubtedly a very talented player, who has clearly been watched by the Gunners’ scouts for several years but, at the moment, it is pretty unlikely that this transfer will happen.