Manchester United could capitalise on Bayern Munich’s “urgent” need to raise funds to push through a deal for midfielder Leon Goretzka.
As reported by Florian Plettenberg, the Bavarian giants are desperate to complete the transfer of Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, but need to sell before they can buy.
The German journalist notes that “a move abroad to a top European club” is more likely than a move within the Bundesliga for the 29-year-old.
🚨🔴 One reason why Leon #Goretzka is being considered for sale is Bayern’s urgent need for funds to complete the transfer of Florian #Wirtz.
At present, a move abroad to a top European club seems more likely for Goretzka than a transfer within the Bundesliga.
There are already… pic.twitter.com/RVIOHwU1cE
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 22, 2024
The only such club named is United, whose interest in midfield reinforcements is no secret; just two days ago Plettenberg himself revealed links to Atalanta’s Ederson.
He explains that there are “already interested clubs”, and that the Red Devils “still have him on their radar”.
But, crucially, “no price tag has been set yet”, meaning a deal would need to be thrashed out and Bayern’s “urgent need for funds” would doubtless see the German side drive a hard bargain.
Goretzka has had a frustrating campaign so far, with his time as an undisputed starter at Bayern seemingly at an end.
It took until Friday for him to complete a full 90 minutes this season, when he picked up an assist in a 3-0 win over FC Augsburg.
Should United make a move for him, he would join Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui who swapped the Allianz Arena for Old Trafford in the summer.
Whether in January or next June, it seems inevitable that Ruben Amorim will look to add to his options in the middle of the park, with the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, in particular, up in the air.
As well as age not being on their side, the pair’s suitability for Amorim’s intense style of play has been questioned.
And as he approaches his 30th birthday, Goretzka’s signing would imply INEOS moving away from apparent preference for youth.
He would, however, bring a wealth of experience gained from winning, amongst other honours, the Champions League and five Bundesliga titles.
Feature image Stuart Franklin via Getty Images
Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
