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Manchester United have the opportunity to freshen up their squad this summer - at Arsenal’s expense.
Manchester United have been in decent form over the past couple of months - Michael Carrick has done an impressive job in interim charge at Old Trafford after taking over from Ruben Amorim, and the Red Devils stand every chance of making the Champions League once more. But there is still plenty of room for improvement.
The midfield, in particular, seems destined for a rebuild, and United have been linked with any number of transfer targets in recent weeks as they build their transfer shortlist ahead of the summer. Now, however, new reports are adding another name into the mix - an experienced, budget-friendly player whose signing could not only strengthen the United squad, but also come at the expense of old rivals Arsenal...
Manchester United target Leon Goretzka deal this summer
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Red Devils are keen on Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka. They could now be set to battle it out with Arsenal for the player’s signature, with the Gunners frequently linked with a move for the veteran in recent months. He is out of contract at the end of the season and he is due to become a free agent in late June as things stand - and suitors can now talk to Goretzka in the hopes of persuading him to move.
Goretzka, 31, is a Germany international with 69 caps under his belt so far in his career. He is yet to put pen-to-paper on a new deal at the Allianz Arena and looks highly likely to leave the club with which he has spent the last eight years since joining from Schalke - and the Premier League could well be his next destination.
That report from Italy suggests that United have “already made moves” to secure Goretzka’s signature, perhaps even pushing them ahead of Arsenal in the race with few reports suggesting that Mikel Arteta’s side have yet made a concrete approach despite weeks of links in the gossip columns. With Goretzka available on a free transfer, his capture would be ideal for a club who are hoping to overhaul several positional groups but may not have the funding to complete the job in one go - all while offering the club some of the experience and veteran presence that they crave having focussed primarily on signing younger players over the past few years.
Would Leon Goretzka suit Manchester United?
United could well see Goretzka as a replacement for Casemiro, who is leaving Old Trafford when this campaign ends. The Bundesliga star would give them more competition and depth in midfield - a position which remains a problem for the club despite the recent resurgence of Kobbie Mainoo. United lack both numbers and technical quality in the heart of the park, and Goretzka would provide both.
He rose up through the academy at Bochum and was a regular at various different youth levels. He broke into the first-team of his boyhood club in 2012 before Schalke came calling for his services. Goretzka then went on to make 147 matches and scored 19 goals, establishing himself as a player who can impact play up and down the pitch.
Bayern Munich subsequently swooped in for him back in 2018 and he has since been a great servant to the German giants. He has played 301 matches for Bayern altogether to date and has found the net on 48 occasions. The player has won everything in Germany now - and may fancy a new challenge to sink his teeth into. United could easily be the beneficiaries if they steal in ahead of their top-flight rivals.
United remain one of the biggest clubs in the world and still have serious pulling power for potential targets despite recent travails, and if they can secure Champions League football would certainly have the pulling power to attract a player like Goretzka. Therefore, they will fancy their chances of beating Arsenal to the signing of Goretzka later this year, even as the Gunners battle for title with Manchester City.
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