Manchester United have the opportunity to finally end an almost decade-long transfer saga this year by signing a much-sought-after midfielder on a free transfer
Manchester United could finally sign Leon Goretzka this summer – as the midfielder is due to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of this season.
United first showed interest in 2017, but the Germany international left Schalke for Bayern Munich rather than moving to the Premier League. Links to Goretzka have regularly reemerged during his time in Bavaria.
Seven-and-a-half years later, this eighth season will be his last playing for Bayern. The club announced four days before the transfer deadline that Goretzka will leave at the end of this season rather than during this winter window.
The player acknowledges clubs have been keen in January. However, Goretzka says: “As much as I am honoured by the interest from international top clubs, I have made a clear decision for myself to remain at FC Bayern until the end of the season.
“At the same time, the club and I have decided in good and constructive talks that our successful time together will come to an end in the summer. As I have said before, this is also the right moment for me to open a new chapter once again, both as a footballer and as a person.
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Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund also confirmed Goretzka’s impending exit. He said: “In the last few weeks, we have intensified the talks and spoken openly about what his further path will be in the summer — in the summer, his time at FC Bayern will come to an end.
“By then, he will have spent eight years here, extremely successful, extremely strong in the way he has conducted himself as a person and as a player. But before that, he will fight with us so that we still have some good weeks ahead.”
United could now be one of several clubs interested in Goretzka this summer. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are the two other Premier League clubs credited with an interest in the 30-year-old this winter.
However, there are also links to a whole host of clubs across Europe. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are said to be keen in Spain, with the latter’s head coach, Hansi Flick, previously working with the player at Bayern and with the Germany national team.
In Italy, local media have reported that Inter, Juventus, Milan and Napoli are monitoring the player’s situation. Turkish teams Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are also said to be suitors.
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