Arsenal and Manchester City are both scouring the possibility to bring Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka over to the Premier League.
German publication Bild are claiming that Arsenal and Manchester City are scouring the possibility to sign Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka. The midfielder has been linked with several top clubs this summer. And, it seems the Premier League duo of Arsenal and City are the latest ones to enter the race.
Goretzka is one among the newest generation of the German crop to emerge as contenders for a place in the national setup. The player progressed through the ranks at the Vfl Bochum youth setup before joining Schalke 04 in the summer of 2013.
And Goretzka has grown rapidly to be recognised as one of the most promising midfielders in Bundesliga. Last season, the 22-year-old featured in 30 Bundesliga matches, with a modest return of 5 goals and 5 assists to show for his efforts.
And, his efforts were vindicated as he was handed a starting spot in Joachim Loew’s German squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 – a competition where he excelled.
Leon Goretzka: Only Kevin Kampl (222) has won possession in the midfield third more times than Goretzka (220) over the last 2 BL seasons pic.twitter.com/Gntvkz1LuH
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 19, 2017
Goretzka starred in the competition as Germany won the event with a relatively second-string squad – the 22-year-old boasted a return of 3 goals and an assist in 4 appearances. His displays have seen him arrive on the radar of several big clubs, with the player being linked with Arsenal and Tottenham.
While Tottenham seem to have ceded their interest in the player, Arsenal are still circling around the Germany international. The Gunners have reinforced their backline and attack with Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette. But, the need for a tempo controller in the middle of the park is ever-present.
Goretzka with his calm head and brilliant ability to dictate the pace of the match can be just that man. The 22-year-old can, thus, be the latest German to arrive at Emirates. However, Manchester City are set to provide competition to the Gunners, with Guardiola looking to bolster his options ahead of the new season.
The Spaniard’s first season at City was by no means a disaster. But, it was his first season without a single trophy – a feat he would hate to repeat in the upcoming campaign.
Leon Goretzka 16/17 – Complete B2B pic.twitter.com/BvyhgEP4v5
— Réuben (@AfcReu) July 20, 2017
According to the report, the player is refusing to sign a new long-term deal with Schalke and has instead set his sights on a move to Bayern when his contract expires in the summer of 2018.
And while the club has maintained their stance on the player’s availability so far, they could be compelled to accept incoming offers for the 22-year-old, lest they risk losing him to Bayern for free the coming summer.
With just a year left on his deal, an amount between €20-30 million could just tempt Schalke to agree to part with their prized asset, who looks to be on his way out of the club – this year or the next.
