Liverpool have reportedly rejoined the chase for Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka and are set to battle Arsenal, Manchester City and others for the German.
According to Daily Mirror, Liverpool have reignited their interest in Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka, with their pursuit of Naby Keita running into troubled waters. The Reds, though, will have to battle Arsenal, Manchester City and others to land the German international.
Liverpool have had two bids knocked back for Naby Keita and while there are reports of a third bid being lodged by the club, which, along with the reports of Leipzig being more open to selling the player than they were previously, has raised the probability of the Reds finally being able to land him.
Although, if Leipzig do hold out for an even larger fee, Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to let his club increase their bid anymore and the Reds will now be looking at alternate options – Leon Goretzka being one of them. The German playmaker has become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the present transfer window.
SportBild | Arsenal & City are interested in Goretzka but Schalke won’t sell. He is set to leave for free in 2018 and has agreement w/Bayern pic.twitter.com/Tgn860l0Y7
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 19, 2017
The 22-year-old was recently part of Germany’s triumphant Confederations Cup squad, which has only further increased the interest of top clubs in the player. While Real Madrid and Barcelona had shown interest in the player previously, it seems to be a full-blown English affair.
Arsenal need a playmaker in the middle of the park, especially if Arsene Wenger is to retain his 3-4-2-1 formation in the upcoming campaign. Goretzka can truly take the spot in the Arsenal midfield that has, in reality, been vacant since the injury to Santi Cazorla.
Manchester City, on the other hand, could use extra hands in the midfield. And while the player isn’t exactly a like-for-like replacement for Yaya Toure, he could be more suited to the possession play deployed by Pep Guardiola at Etihad.
Leon Goretzka 16/17 – Complete B2B pic.twitter.com/BvyhgEP4v5
— Réu (@AfcReu) July 20, 2017
But, Liverpool have now joined the race. The Reds have been long in pursuit of Naby Keita but could move for the German soon if things do not begin to move quickly as regards the Guinean international is concerned. The player has just one year left on his current deal and could be a more realistic target.
Also, Goretzka will be available at a fee significantly lower than what they are currently offering RB Leipzig for Naby Keita. Klopp could also prefer to add the young German instead of Naby Keita after his latest training antic.
