Arsenal lead Tottenham in race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka
Arsenal are leading north London rivals Tottenham in the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer this summer.
The German international is set to leave the Bundesliga giants when his current contract expires at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side represent a highly attractive destination for the departing star due to the near guarantee of Champions League football.
Conversely, Spurs are enduring a difficult domestic campaign that heavily damages their ability to attract elite European talent.
Premier League ambitions
According to German football journalist Christian Falk, the experienced box-to-box midfielder has his heart set on a move to England.
“The player’s goal is to move to the Premier League; he would love to play for Arsenal.”
“In his heart, he feels this would be a perfect next club. I heard he loves the Premier League and his playing style suits English football.”
The former Schalke standout remains open to evaluating all options, though a switch to the Emirates Stadium is currently his preferred outcome.
While Tottenham maintain a strong interest, their current trajectory makes them a less appealing proposition than their arch-rivals.
Financial hurdles and tactical fit
Securing the five-time Bundesliga champion without a transfer fee represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Gunners.
However, navigating the player’s substantial wage demands could still present a significant hurdle for the Arsenal hierarchy.
The combative midfielder reportedly earns in the region of £300,000 per week at the Allianz Arena.
It remains highly unlikely that he would accept a significant pay cut knowing his new employers are saving entirely on a transfer fee.
Should an agreement be reached, his physical presence and vertical running would offer a powerful new dimension to Arsenal’s established positional system.
