Barcelona are reportedly intent on signing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is also a target for Manchester United, this summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, the race to sign Leon Goretzka in the summer transfer window is intensifying. Barcelona are keen on signing the 26-year-old German midfielder, who is also a target for Manchester United, amid his contract standoff with Bayern Munich.
Leon Goretzka joined Bayern Munich from Schalke on a Bosman move in the summer of 2018 and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best midfielders on show in the Bundesliga. A mainstay in the middle of the park now for Bayern, the player has gone on to feature 112 times for the German champions while chipping in with 25 goals and 27 assists along the way.
However, Bayern Munich are in a precarious position over the future of the 26-year-old, who is currently at an impasse with the club over the terms of a new contract. With his current deal running out next summer, some of the biggest clubs across Europe have leapt into action, with Manchester United and Barcelona among those showing an interest.
At Manchester United, Paul Pogba is in a situation not too dissimilar to Goretzka’s, at least as far as the duration of the contract is concerned. With the French international being heavily linked with a potential switch to Paris Saint-Germain, the Red Devils need to be on the lookout for a potential replacement, even though Donny van de Beek could be an option within the squad.
Goretzka, to that end, has emerged as a viable target for Manchester United, who are reportedly prepared to offer him more attractive terms than Bayern Munich. United, though, are not alone in pursuit of the German midfielder, with Barcelona also keen on signing him this summer.
The interest from Barcelona makes a world of sense at a time when the Blaugrana are doing some major restructuring of the first-team squad. To that end, Miralem Pjanic is facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou, while Philippe Coutinho is likely to be offloaded by Barcelona as well. In addition, Ilaix Moriba is at an impasse with the Blaugrana over the terms of a renewal.
As a result, Barcelona are scouring the transfer market for a central midfielder, and the option to swoop Donny van de Beek away from Manchester United has recently emerged as well. However, van de Beek is reportedly intent on staying put at Old Trafford, with Goretzka an option worth considering for Barcelona.
As per the report, Manchester United are pushing for a move for the 26-year-old more intently, but Barcelona are also lining up a move for him. What will now be interesting to see is if Goretzka’s standoff with Bayern Munich continues, which will bring the two suitors into the picture even more clearly.
