Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka is favouring a summer move to Arsenal despite strong interest from AC Milan, according to reports in Italy.
The Germany international is set to leave Bayern on a free transfer when his contract expires in June and has no shortage of suitors across Europe.
The Serie A quartet of AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli are all claimed to have made moves for the midfielder, who has been with Bayern since the summer of 2018.
AC Milan have reportedly been in contact with Goretzka for some time but have been unable to make a breakthrough in talks, as the 31-year-old is keeping his options open ahead of the summer.
Leon Goretzka Open to Arsenal Move
Leon Goretzka
According to Calcio Mercato, after signing Luka Modric on a free last summer, Milan are ‘highly motivated’ to repeat the trick with Goretzka this year.
However, the Germany international’s wage demands could prove a stumbling block in the pursuit, as Goretzka is reportedly seeking a contract worth €7m a year, plus substantial bonuses, including a €10m signing-on fee.
Bayern announced in January that they will be parting ways with Goretzka, who earns around £300,000-a-week, following the midfielder’s eight-year spell at the club.
The 31-year-old, praised as 'one of the best' players in Germany, has lifted six league titles with Bayern and was part of the side that secured a historic sextuple in 2020, winning the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Supercup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Arsenal Looked at Signing New Midfielder
Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his first goal
Arsenal looked at signing a new midfielder late in the January transfer window following a serious injury to Mikel Merino.
The Gunners were linked with a surprise swoop for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali and have not been ruled out from renewing their interest after the season.
Merino remains unlikely to feature again this season following surgery in February on a serious right foot bone injury and appears in a race against time to be fit for this summer’s World Cup.
Arsenal have been hit by several new injury concerns after their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, with Gabriel, William Saliba, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard all withdrawing from international duty due to setbacks.
Mikel Arteta will hope to have a strong squad available when the Gunners return to action on April 4, facing Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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