Arsenal are interested in signing Leon Goretzka in the near future, with Mesut Ozil set to leave the Gunners soon. The 22-year-old German midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season at his current club Schalke. The same applies to his German team-mate, Ozil at the Gunners. The Daily Mirror are reporting that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made Goretzka his number 1 midfield target for the summer transfer window.
The Schalke star is in the last year of his contract and is all set to make a move in the summer, with Arsenal hot on his heels. But the Gunners might face serious competition from Manchester City and Liverpool in pursuit of the German international’s signature. It is also being reported that the Italian champions, Juventus and Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, are also interested in Goretzka.
Schalke 04 has already laid an offer for a contract extension on the table but it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old accepts the deal. However, the club might decide to sell him in January if he turns it down.
This may give rise to early offers from a whole host of clubs in January with the Gunners keeping a close eye on any developments as they look to bolster their squad. The North Londoners have already signed former Schalke defender, Sead Kolasinac on a Bosman in the summer and may follow it up with another free transfer from Schalke in the form of Leon Goretzka. Going by the success of the Kolasinac signing, another similar deal for Goretzka may turn out to a real coup for the Emirates faithful.
However, Arsenal are due to lose two of their star players in the near future. The dynamic duo, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are both out of contract at the end of the season. They can leave in the winter transfer window but may have better options if they do decide to stay and run out their contracts until the summer.
Leon Goretzka has built a reputation for being one of the brightest young talents that Bundesliga has to offer. The German has made 10 appearances for Schalke this season, scoring 4 goals and making one assist. He is a player who’s on the rise and has the potential to be world class in the next few years. And justifiably, most European clubs are lining up to secure his services as he comes into his peak years.
Leon Goretzka is still too young to be compared to Mesut Ozil but the Schalke man has the potential to match or even outshine his German team-mate if he continues to grow and develop in the coming seasons.
