Pranav Nair
Transfer News: Barcelona to battle Manchester United for Leon Goretzka
According to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Catalan giants Barcelona have entered the race to land Manchester United target Leon Goretzka.
The German ace is in the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich. As things stand negotiations regarding a new deal have failed to yield fruit and he could be available on a free next year. Goretzka wants a wage packet of €20m, making him one of the highest earners at Bayern Munich. The club is however only willing to offer him €12m. (h/t Daily Star)
The 26-year-old joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in the summer of 2018 and has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga. A mainstay in the middle of the park now for Die Roten, he has gone on to feature 112 times for the German champions while scoring 25 goals and making 27 assists along the way.
The Red Devils are in a similar position to Bayern with respect to Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is also in the final year of his deal at United and could be on the move this summer. Losing him will rob the side of a world-class practitioner in the middle of the park.
It is imperative that we replace the quality for like and Goretkz can certainly achieve that. The German has a different set of skills to Pogba but has the necessary quality to enhance the performances of Bruno Fernandes and co. Unline Bayern, the Red Devils are ready to pay the player a substantial wage. According to Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft, the player is keen to stay on at Bayern. However, money could ultimately decide where his future lies.
Barcelona are currently in the midst of a major reshuffle and are set to make some big decisions in the coming months. The futures of Iliax Moriba, Philippe Coutinho, and Miralem Pjanic are all unclear and Sergio Busquets is also not getting any younger.
Landing Goretkza will give them an energetic presence in the middle of the park and also a player just entering his prime. The Catalans are however struggling with their finances and it remains to be seen if they can offer the German what he wants.
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As things stand, Barcelona will struggle to match United when it comes to making a lucrative contract offer. The Red Devils should not pass on the opportunity should it present itself. After all how often does a player of Goretzka’s ability appear on the market, that too on a Bosman.L
