According to reports, Arsenal are weighing up a move for Bundesliga’s latest sensation Leon Goretzka as the Gunners continue their search for a proper midfielder. The 22-year-old has been one of Germany’s best players in the recently concluded Confederations Cup last month and his phenomenal displays have caught the attention of numerous clubs.
Following the arrival of Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette this summer, Arsenal have extensive plans to oversee a big exodus this summer as they plan to clear up their wage structure. And the positions where it will hit the most are the defence and midfield. The North London side is crowded with injured and inconsistent players, whose time is all but up at the Emirates, and last season was an eye-opener both for the manager as well as the players.
The likes of Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny and more have all been an added burden on the club now and if Arsenal have more major signings lined up, some of them are expected to depart. While the players who have been excluded from their pre-season tour have got a clear signal of their future at the club, some players currently in the squad are also reportedly on the selling list of Wenger.
Elneny remains one such example. The Egyptian international has had a quiet stay with the Gunners in the past two seasons and has failed to impress Wenger, while Wilshere is still recovering from his fractured leg. Reports have both of them lined up for sale this summer and Arsenal’s pursuit of Goretzka is pretty much understandable.
While Aaron Ramsey has been brilliant for Arsenal this preseason since he picked up his form from where he had left last season, his injury prone nature and maddening inconsistency makes him a highly unreliable option throughout the season. And Francis Coquelin’s frustrating displays last season against big sides were enough to convince Wenger that he is not for the long term.
Goretzka ticks all the boxes Arsenal are looking for. The Schalke player can play in the offence as well as the defence with equal ease and has phenomenal composure on the ball. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in all competitions for the Bundesliga side last season. He has played as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder last season and has been productive in all the positions.
His ability to hold the ball and read the game is quite unparalleled in Bundesliga and the club is rating him at around £25 million. And while his price is affordable by Arsenal, Serie A giants Juventus are also keeping tabs on him.
