Bayer Leverkusen have been forced to release an official statement denying reports that a contract extension has been agreed for their in-demand midfielder Florian Wirtz.

The in-demand Germany international has attracted interest across the continent after starring in Leverkusen's double-winning campaign last season. Wirtz was crowned Bundesliga Player of the Year after scoring double figures in goals and assists as Xabi Alonso's side avoided defeat in every home game.

Leverkusen held onto their talented 21-year-old throughout the summer, but transfer speculation has not slowed down.

Real Madrid have been a longtime fanwhile Manchester City have also joined the race in recent weeks. Wirtz was one of them named five midfield targets as Pep Guardiola's out-of-form side try to break a run of bad results with big money this winter.

German publication Kicker stopped any pursuit of Wirtz when they made an exclusive claim that the playmaker had agreed to a new contract extension. The confident phrase "deal done" was repeated several times in the report.

Without revealing the exact length, Kicker claims Wirtz has extended his contract - set to expire in 2027 - by "at least one year". The prodigy midfielder has also apparently agreed to a new annual salary that would make him the highest paid player at the club.

Shortly after that report was published, Leverkusen felt compelled to refute the rumors with an official statement. "Bayer 04 has had a very trusting and close relationship with Florian Wirtz and his family for years," the club wrote. "Contractual matters continue to be discussed exclusively between Bayer 04 management and the Wirtz family."

The reigning Bundesliga champions have always struck a confident tone in public regarding the future of Wirtz and his manager Xabi Alonso - who has also attracted admiring glances from Real Madrid. Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has defiantly stated that the chances of Wirtz staying at the club beyond next summer are "very high".

"And why shouldn't they be tall?" he asked.

They would have been much higher had Wirtz actually put pen to paper on a new deal.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD