Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly launched an enquiry over the possibility of signing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in the summer.
According to a report from Florian Plettenberg of Sport1, Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has emerged as a summer transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, with both teams making an enquiry for the German international.
Goretzka came through the youth ranks at VfL Bochum before signing for FC Schalke 04 in 2013, where he spent five years, growing into one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich came calling in the summer of 2018 and the 26-year-old has established himself as a key player for the Rekordmeister.
To date, Goretzka has made 112 appearances for Bayern Munich, bagging 25 goals and 27 assists, winning a number of titles and trophies in the process. The 2020/21 campaign was a productive one for the German international, despite having had a few injury issues, as he ended with 8 goals and 9 assists from 32 games in all competitions.
Currently away on international duty with the German national team at the UEFA Euro 2020, Goretzka helped Die Mannschaft secure qualification to the knockouts scoring a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Hungary on Wednesday. A key member of the side for club and country, the 26-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich, leading to speculations over his future.
The report states that Goretzka has recently changed his agents and is yet to sign a new deal with Bayern Munich due to disagreements over the salary being offered, which has now piqued the interest of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s search for a new midfielder is no secret as they came ever so close to signing Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer only to see him sign for PSG at the last minute. With Sergio Busquets not getting any younger and the futures of Miralem Pjanic and Philippe Coutinho uncertain, adding another central midfielder to bolster the depth and quality of the squad would make sense for the Catalans.
To that end, Barcelona have been linked with a host of midfielders, with Goretzka now emerging as the latest option that they seem to be considering. However, the Blaugrana are likely to face competition from arch-rivals Real Madrid in any potential pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Like Barcelona, Real Madrid are also in urgent need of reinforcements in the centre of the park as Luka Modric enters the final phase of his career while Toni Kroos is also into his thirties. Throw in the uncertain futures of the likes of Isco, Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos, Carlo Ancelotti & co. can certainly do with at least one new central midfielder this summer, making Goretzka a viable target.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to have approached Goretzka’s representatives to assess the possibility of a transfer, while there is interest from a few Premier League clubs as well. However, the report does add that the strongest possibility, at this time, remains that of the midfielder extending his deal with Bayern Munich. It now remains to be seen if either Barcelona or Real Madrid do launch a move for the 26-year-old.
