Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has offered encouragement to Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur as he plans his next move this summer.
Sky Sport Germany cover comments from the 31-year-old today. He has admitted that he is looking to move outside of Germany this year.
Goretzka is set to be a free agent at the end of the season when his Bayern Munich deal comes to an end. He has already announced his decision to leave at that point.
Where he goes afterwards, though, remains to be seen. He has so far played his entire career in Germany, coming through Bochum’s youth ranks before playing at Schalke and then joining Bayern Munich on a free transfer in 2018.
He has since won 17 major trophies with Bayern, making over 290 appearances in the process.
That trophy cabinet includes six Bundesliga titles, one Champions League and various other competitions including the DFB Pokal, DFL Supercup, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Free agent this summer
That makes him an attractive option on the market. Indeed, he has long been linked with a move to the Premier League. There is interest in him there ahead of the summer too.
Sport Witness have covered various reports from Germany insisting that Arsenal and Tottenham are both battling for his signature. One of those, last month, put both sides in the picture.
A report four days ago then stated that Arsenal had lined up a contract for the 31-year-old. That was a three-year deal worth €6.5m after tax. Now Goretzka has offered encouragement to the Gunners and Tottenham.
“I already said it when I announced my decision, that I felt the time was right,” he said.
“Maybe it’s my last chance to go abroad. I really want to play competitive football again. We’ll see what opportunities arise. I’m completely relaxed about it. I’m just going to let things unfold.
“Who doesn’t like sunshine, right? But I’m certainly not going to base my next move on the weather. We’ll find something nice.”
Arsenal or Tottenham?
Of the two, Arsenal would likely be the more attractive option for Goretzka at this moment in time.
By the summer, they could be Premier League champions and are among the strongest sides in the Champions League.
Tottenham, conversely, are currently battling relegation. Igor Tudor’s side sit one point outside the relegation zone following defeat to Crystal Palace this week. They are very much in danger and transfer business is very much on the backburner.
Still, if they do manage to stay up, it appears they have a shot. Goretzka certainly fancies a move abroad after his time in Germany.