Arsenal now in contact over signing Leon Goretzka with free transfer possible

Arsenal have now been in contact over the signing of an “incredible” Bayern Munich star, and a free transfer could be on the cards next summer.

Gunners set out to strengthen in January due to injury crisis

Mikel Arteta has made it clear he is looking to bring in new reinforcements during the January transfer window, given the injury crisis he’s been forced to deal with this season, saying: “The thing is, we’ve had more injuries than expected, some of them not avoidable, I would say, but we want to be better, and we know how important the part of having the right availability with players is going to play in the season.

“The window is there. We’re Arsenal and we have to be looking at it and saying ‘OK, what do we need?’ We have to be actively looking, and then can we do it or not? That’s a different story, but our job is to always be very prepared because something can happen.”

Indeed, the Gunners have struggled on the injury front, with Declan Rice even being forced to fill in at right-back in the recent 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, given that Jurrien Timber was absent.

One position in which Arteta is well-stocked is central midfield, with Rice and Martin Zubimendi forming quite the partnership, but the north Londoners have now been in contact over a move for Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Arsenal have been approached by the representatives of the midfielder, who has the same agent as Kai Havertz, although they are more likely to wait until the summer before pursuing a move, at which point he may well be available on a free transfer.

However, there are a whole host of clubs in the race for the German’s signature, with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur currently in pole position, while the likes of Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Manchester United are also named as potential suitors.

Goretzka could be “incredible” signing for Arsenal

Former Arsenal man Emmanuel Petit has urged Arsenal to make a move for the Bayern maestro in the past, saying: “The main two players I would target if I was Arsenal would be Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

“They are both incredible players with huge experience who have both been at Bayern for a while and would maybe like a new challenge.”

Since then, the Gunners have strengthened their midfield, with Zubimendi proving to be a savvy addition, being lauded as “exceptional” by Arteta, but the manager could do with some more strength in depth if he is going to compete on all fronts.

Goretzka, who rakes in £218k-a-week, could therefore be a savvy addition, especially considering his potential availability on a free transfer, with the central midfielder very experienced at the highest level, amassing six goals and nine assists in 68 Champions League games.