Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has suggested that their star player Florian Wirtz has an equal chance of leaving or staying this summer, marking a noticeable change in position.

Interest from other clubs in Wirtz is not new. He is a skilled creator, known for skillfully navigating between the lines of midfield and defense, and is being actively pursued by Bayern Munich. Board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has openly expressed that signing Wirtz is a clear goal for the club.

Manchester City is also believed to consider the 22-year-old as a top contender to succeed Kevin De Bruyne, while speculation linking him to Real Madrid has grown, especially as current Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is increasingly expected to join the Spanish team.

As recently as April, Carro boasted that there was a “very high chance” of Wirtz remaining in Leverkusen. In the eyes of the club executive, that probability has been slashed to just “50-50”.

After watching Wirtz tee up both Leverkusen goals in a 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday afternoon, Carro told DAZN that the team’s star player still has to decide “what he wants and when he wants to take the next step”.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes added: “He is a Bayer 04 player. We are fighting to ensure that he remains that player next season.” The former player insisted that Leverkusen is “the right place” for Wirtz. “Our goal is to convince him of that.”

Numerous reports in Germany have claimed that Bayern Munich are leading the race to sign Wirtz, with some outlets even suggesting that a deal has already been struck. Alonso questioned these claims, giving hope to City and Madrid.

However, Leverkusen fans pining after another season of Wirtz’s ephemeral skill won’t be filled with optimism. Carro used exactly the same phrase – “50-50” – to describe Alonso’s chances of leaving Leverkusen earlier this season. The talismanic manager has since confirmed his exit and it remains to be seen if Wirtz will follow him out of the door.